In what looks like a combat posture, leaders of the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) drew the redline, Tuesday, declaring that they were ready to put an end to the myriad of obstacles allegedly erected in the way of the party’s progress.
According to them, it is time to “flex muscles” and stop the move by “the destructive voices” who had benefited immensely from the former ruling party.
They spoke at the inauguration of the 2025 Elective National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC) consisting of 119 members in Abuja.
In his remarks, the party’s national chairman, Ambassador Illiya Umar Damagum, described the event as the right step forward towards strengthening the party as it prepared to elect the next national officers to lead it into the future.
Conspicuously absent at the meeting were the FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and suspended Rives state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
However, Wike’s associate and former governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, was in attendance, as well as the embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
…Wike group lists demands
Also, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP rose from its meeting in Abuja, listing critical demands which the party must meet ahead of the convention scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo state.
At the meeting were FCT Minister Wike, Senator Anyanwu, National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih and former Governor Ortom.
Others included former Abia state Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Enugu state Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former senator representing Rivers East, George Sekibo, along with other zonal and state’s party chairmen.
Also in attendance were Speaker River State House of Assembly Martin Chike Amaewhule, Senator Phillips Tanimu Aduda, Hon. Micah Jiba, and some PDP BoT members.
Among other things, the caucus reiterated the need for a renewed commitment to justice, equity and inclusivity as well as the rule of law, the values upon which the party was founded.
In a communiqué issued Tuesday, the group reaffirmed the belief that leadership positions within the party must remain open, inclusive, and competitive while ensuring regional equity in accordance with the PDP’s long-standing traditions.
“In the spirit of unity and progress, and mindful of the party’s historical role as a custodian of Nigeria’s democratic aspirations, we considered it imperative and expedient to make the following observations and convey our demands to the party leadership and the National Working Committee (NWC) as we prepare for the National Convention.
“That the PDP stands at a defining crossroads where its ability to reconcile internal disputes, uphold fairness, and respect constitutional processes will determine its future relevance. That unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements.
“That a credible National Convention must be anchored on transparency, fairness, and respect for the rule of law as well as inclusivity.”
Listing their demands, they called on the NWC to urgently conduct fresh, transparent, and inclusive congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states, in line with courts’ judgments.
They also demanded that a fresh and legitimate South-East Zonal Congress should be conducted, while also faulting the outcome of the valid and legitimate South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River state, and recognised by the court be respected.
“That the Ekiti State Local Government Areas Congress should be conducted immediately, in obedience to the subsisting court judgement.
“That on zoning of party offices, whereas; we agree with the zoning committee’s recommendations, which was adopted by NEC that status quo remains, we further, and very strongly hold that there should be no form of micro-zoning for peace and stability within the party.
“Consequently, the National Chairman of the party should remain in the North-Central in line with the zoning formula of the 2021 convention.
“It is pertinent to caution that failure to comply with the above resolutions and demands shall render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.
“The PDP was built on the foundation of inclusivity, fairness, and justice. Therefore, to reclaim its pride of place as the leading opposition and the true alternative for Nigerians, the party must now rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility.
“We, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, remain steadfast in our loyalty to the party and resolute in our determination to work with all organs and leaders of the PDP to ensure that the forthcoming National Convention becomes a watershed moment — a moment where unity triumphs over division, and justice prevails over impunity.
“Only then can the PDP speak with one voice, act with one heart, and march with renewed strength toward victory,” the communiqué further read.
…The committee inauguration
Ably chaired by Adamawa state Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the convention committee has Osun state Governor Ademola Adeleke the vice chairman, while Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state is the secretary.
Inaugurating the committee, Ambassador Damagum said the competence of the members to undertake the task is well known and unquestionable.
He said: “Your Excellencies, thank you for accepting to serve in these roles, which place substantial demands on your time and energy. However, I am confident that with your wealth of experience and commitment, you will discharge this mandate with diligence, fairness, and excellence.
“Leaders, brothers, and sisters of the PDP. This national convention is of critical importance. The National Officers we elect will lead our great party into the next general elections and beyond. We must recognize that the challenges we face as the leading opposition are mutating, much to the dismay of well-meaning Nigerians. “While the faction that broke out has not garnered much traction, we know that politics is dynamic, and the ruling class may seek to capitalize on or even sponsor such distractions to weaken the PDP, which remains the only dominant opposition party in our dear country, Nigeria.”
“Permit me to share a few brief reflections, which I believe will help underscore the importance of this committee’s work. By fate and through political outcomes, I did not contest as National Chairman of the PDP; I was elected as Deputy National Chairman (North). Yet, for nearly two years now, first in an acting capacity and now substantively, I have been entrusted with chairing the affairs of this great Party.
“Since assuming this responsibility, I have laboured with sincerity and utmost commitment to steady the ship of our Party. In this period, we have pursued reconciliation, worked to reposition our structures, and ensured that despite challenges, the PDP remains the leading voice of the opposition and the enduring hope of millions of Nigerians. On this, we have succeeded.
“But let me be clear; this success has only been made possible by silence and tolerance on my part. Not because I enjoy being disparaged, but because at critical moments, I chose restraint, not out of weakness, but as a conscious sacrifice for the survival and stability of our Party,” he said.
On the crisis facing the party, Damagun regretted that it was an irony that “many of the destructive voices have come from individuals who have benefited immensely from the PDP. They sought to sow division and weaken our structures. Yet history will record, and analysts will debate, but the consensus will remain that in a time of great difficulty, this National Working Committee, under my leadership, held the line and did a remarkable job.
“Today, I say with conviction that the PDP is not broken. The PDP is not defeated. The PDP is marching forward; stronger, more determined, and better prepared to fulfill our overriding objective: to reclaim the presidency of this great country and rebuild Nigeria from the mismanagement of the current ruling party.”
He expressed the party’s reservations over the recent bye-elections in some parts of the country and the just concluded local government elections in Rivers state.
“The inauguration of this Committee, while part of our tradition, also symbolizes our collective determination to organize, to mobilize, and to deliver a National Convention that will stand as a testament to our democratic ideals.
“As you know, the 2025 Elective National Convention is scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, from the 15th to 16th of November, 2025.
“My charge to this Committee is simple, as you carry out your work, let fairness, equity, justice, and unity of purpose be your guiding principles. Let us set aside personal grievances and ambitions that do not serve the collective interest. (If any exists) Let us focus on the bigger picture: building public trust by proving to Nigerians through this convention that the PDP remains the vanguard of democracy and the blueprint for due process.
“Let every member of our Party see, in your conduct, the assurance that PDP belongs to all.
“I have no doubt that we will deliver a convention that reaffirms the PDP as the Party of the People, by the People, and for the People,” Damagun said.
…Bauchi governor
Also, Bauchi state Governor Bala Mohammed, who extolled the virtues of the committee members said the PDP was ready to fight back.
He said: “The National Chairman has spoken very clearly. The pedigree and capacity of the Convention Committee leadership is never in doubt because we have been doing this for a long time.
“We believe we have done it before, and we believe we will do it very well. The governors are with you, members of this party, and, of course, members of this important committee.
“We are with the National Working Committee. We appreciate the sacrifice they are making. And, of course, we are men that have brought consensus. We are on the way forward. We certainly can’t wait. The time has come when we must flex our muscles.”
To the party’s adversaries, Mohammed said: “We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody. We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance, and beyond the impunity of others.
“We cannot continue to take part and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That’s our job. And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse.
“And we are working as governors and working with the committee to ensure that. The key word is discipline. We will no longer allow or tolerate anybody to take us for granted.
“It has to stop. Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate it any longer. Yes, consensus. Yes, accommodation. But accommodation cannot mean stupidity.
“And definitely, Mr. Chairman, we are with you on this journey as governors. And we will show that we believe in the capacity of the regulator, INEC.
“We are confident that it is a very valid and credible organization, driven by the rule of law. This convention is on course. Our party is on course to make sure we have our party.
“If anybody wants to become a faction of fools, we will allow him to go and do it. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.”
…BoT on zoning
Pledging similar support, chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, assured that the BoT will continue to work with the working committee, governors to ensure that the party achieve set objectives.
Represented by the BoT Secretary, Senator Ahmed Maikarfi, he said: “The work of Convention Planning Committee is quite challenging. It virtually achieved success before the D-Day because of interaction and discussion.
“Convention is not about excluding anybody, it’s also not a denial of the majority to have their way, because that’s what democracy is all about.
“Convention is not about 100% but about overwhelming majority. If you have 100 per cent fine. In that direction, the party has zoned its positions, North, South. North can sit and do what they wish. South can sit and do what they wish.
“But that should not deny any individual who disagrees by testing his will. Buy the form, go to the field and test your capacity. So, there’s no need raising temperature, because there will be no, and there should be no exclusion. That has been the tradition since PDP was formed.
“We have three powerful chairmen. Let’s build consensus. We have always been building consensus. Now we need it more than any other time. I believe we have the capacity to do that.”
Also speaking, the Deputy National Chairman South, Taofeek Arapaja, said “the PDP belonged to all and not to anybody or a group of people. The party he stated further will not die but ready to move.”