PDP Names Jegede, Oyinlola, Udenwa To Screen Aspirants Ahead Of Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party has named a 13-member committee to screen aspirants ahead of its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chairs the Convention Organising Committee, announced on Saturday that former Ondo governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, will lead the screening team. Mohammed Diri will serve as deputy chairman, while Asue Ighodalo and Jacob Otorkpa will serve as secretary and deputy secretary respectively.

Other members include former Osun governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Imo governor Achike Udenwa, Josephine Anenih, Mariam Chiroma, Felix Hassan Hyat, Emmanuel Enoidem, Aduke Maina and Zainab Maina. The screening will begin on Tuesday.

The party is pressing ahead with the convention despite unresolved internal disputes, including a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the event. The case, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, is due for ruling on October 31 — two weeks before the convention.

Some party stakeholders led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike are demanding the reinstatement of certain zonal and state congresses as conditions for their support. The PDP has also been hit by defections, including governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Peter Mbah of Enugu, who both left the party in recent weeks.

In the North, tensions have risen over the choice of former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, as the consensus candidate for national chairman. Several stakeholders have rejected his selection, citing lack of consultation. The party, however, insists all positions remain open for contest.

Meanwhile, Wike has blamed PDP governors for the party’s internal crisis, saying their arrogance and disregard for due process have weakened the party. He warned that if the convention is not properly conducted, he would not attend.

In the South-East, some PDP lawmakers have threatened to boycott the convention over alleged plans to transfer the national woman leader’s position from the region to the South-South. They said the move would amount to injustice against Imo State, which originally held the slot.

In Benue, former governor Samuel Ortom dismissed speculation about defecting from the party, saying he remains committed to helping PDP reclaim the state in 2027. Ortom hosted stakeholders in Makurdi, assuring them he would not contest any elective position but would support party candidates.

Party leaders at the meeting pledged loyalty to Ortom and expressed confidence in his efforts to rebuild the PDP in Benue.