PDP Fixes November Convention In Ibadan As Leaders Rally To Rebuild Party

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set November 15 and 16 for its national convention, where new national officers will be elected.

The event is scheduled to take place in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

This decision came out of the party’s 101st National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja. During the meeting, party leaders mandated acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu to officially inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the date, venue, and agenda for the convention, as required by law.

The NEC expressed relief that long-standing disagreements within the party had been settled, calling it a fresh start for the PDP. Leaders described the resolution of internal conflicts as a turning point, restoring unity among members after months of tension and public defections.

The meeting, attended by six PDP governors and other top figures, ended with an 11-point communiqué. One of the key takeaways was the commitment to hold a transparent and inclusive convention. The council also approved the membership of both the convention planning and zoning committees.

In a push to enforce party discipline, the NEC warned that all lawmakers who defected to other parties while still holding PDP mandates must vacate their seats. It directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to go to court to begin the recovery process. The party cited constitutional provisions that automatically strip defectors of their seats, stressing that there was no division in the PDP to justify their actions.

Another issue raised was the involvement of some PDP members in the activities of rival parties. The NEC called on such individuals to reconsider their actions and return to the fold. Party leaders reminded them that dual party membership is not permitted by law and urged them to remain loyal as internal reforms continue.

The meeting marked the party’s first full-scale NEC session in months, after repeated delays and mounting concerns over defections and low morale. The PDP used the opportunity to reassure members and supporters that efforts to rebuild are on track and that the convention will produce a new, effective leadership to steer the party into the 2027 elections.

Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, visibly encouraged by the turnout, said the gathering signaled that the PDP remains strong and united. Other leaders echoed this sentiment, acknowledging past challenges but expressing confidence in the party’s ability to recover and take on the ruling APC.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, said the governors were fully behind the ongoing reforms. He urged members to move past personal grudges and put party interest above all else. He also extended an olive branch to those who left the PDP but warned that indiscipline would no longer be tolerated.

Lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly also pledged their loyalty to the PDP and its leadership. They promised to help resolve internal issues and support the party’s push for revival.

The PDP wrapped up the meeting by announcing that its next NEC session will be held on August 25, as it builds momentum toward the November convention.