The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a 110-member organising committee ahead of its 2025 elective national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The development follows a resolution of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which endorsed the date and venue for what is expected to be a defining gathering for the country’s main opposition party.
In a statement signed by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and shared via its official X handle on Monday, the party explained that the committee would oversee all preparations for the two-day convention and ensure a smooth conduct of the exercise. The NEC emphasized that the convention represents a critical opportunity to strengthen the PDP’s structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Key Leaders to Steer the Committee
The party announced that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State will serve as Chairman of the main committee, while Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Kabir Turaki (SAN) will serve as Deputy Chairmen. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has been named Secretary, with Senator Adolphus Wabara representing the Board of Trustees as Chairman.
Other prominent figures on the committee include Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Secretary Samuel Anyawu, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.
Also listed are Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang, suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, former Kaduna Governor Mohammed Makarfi, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida. The calibre of the committee membership underscores the importance the PDP attaches to the convention.
Convention’s Mandate and Responsibilities
According to the party, the committee has been tasked with coordinating logistical, political, and administrative preparations ahead of the convention. A central responsibility will be the allocation of the National Working Committee (NWC) positions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, a process the NEC will later review and approve.
Political analysts note that zoning decisions will play a decisive role in shaping the future leadership of the party, especially as the PDP looks to consolidate its position in the opposition space. The distribution of offices, they argue, will also be key in balancing regional interests and avoiding internal disputes ahead of the 2027 elections.
In addition, the committee is expected to provide guidelines for the conduct of elections during the convention, ensure proper security arrangements, and liaise with relevant agencies to guarantee transparency. The PDP said the smooth handling of these tasks would send a strong signal of its readiness to reclaim power at the federal level.
Significance for the PDP’s Political Future
The Ibadan convention is widely seen as a litmus test for the PDP’s unity, coming at a time when the party has been grappling with internal divisions, defections, and leadership tussles. With the All Progressives Congress (APC) firmly in control of federal power, the PDP hopes to use the convention as a rallying point to project cohesion and readiness for governance.
Observers say the choice of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as the host city is symbolic, as the Southwest has remained a competitive zone where the PDP has struggled to secure dominance. Hosting the convention there may help the party strengthen its grassroots mobilization in the region.
Party insiders also believe the active participation of current governors, former leaders, and top stakeholders in the organising committee reflects a deliberate attempt to ensure inclusivity and broaden consensus within the PDP’s ranks.
Looking Ahead to November
As the countdown to November begins, expectations are high within the PDP and across the wider political landscape. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the party manages its internal dynamics and whether it can project unity of purpose during the convention.
The unveiling of the 110-member organising committee marks a significant step in that direction. For the PDP, the task now is not only to conduct a hitch-free convention but also to demonstrate to Nigerians that it remains a credible alternative capable of offering effective leadership at the national level.
With the political temperature already rising ahead of 2027, the Ibadan convention promises to be a watershed moment in the PDP’s journey as it seeks to reinvent itself and mount a strong challenge to the ruling APC.
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