2027: PDP postpones convention to November 15; We ’ll dismantle opposition coalition – Damagum 

2027: PDP postpones convention to November 15

*  We ’ll dismantle opposition coalition – Damagum

By Ndukaku Ihe

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) has postponed its National Convention to elect new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to November 15 and 16.

The PDP NEC, in a communique read by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, after its 101st meeting, yesterday, in Abuja, said the national convention earlier scheduled for August 28 -30, in Kano State, will now hold in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to the communique, the ” NEC approved the year 2025 Elective National Convention Schedule of Activities and Timetable. Under the approved Timetable, the Elective National Convention to elect the next set of National Officers of our party will hold on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

“Consequently, NEC directed the National Chairman, His Excellency, Amb. Iliya Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu to officially write to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the time, venue and agenda of the Elective National Convention in accordance with the requirement of Section 82 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Part 2(12) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

“Accordingly, NEC approved the membership composition of the National Convention Committee as well as the membership composition of the National Convention Zoning Committee to ensure a successful, transparent and credible Elective National Convention.”

Also, the NEC directed the NWC to take legal steps to “recover the seats of all serving members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the PDP but defected” to other political parties, in line with Sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Furthermore, the party organ frowned at the participation of some of its members in the activities and meetings of other political parties, and cautioned the affected members to show loyalty to the PDP.

It said: “NEC expressed serious concern and frowns at the reported participation and involvement of some party members in the activities, meetings and gathering of another political party.

“NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and show loyalty and commitment as members of the PDP especially as the law does not permit membership of two political parties at the same time.”

Some PDP members, including former Vice President, former Senate President, David Mark, former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Liyel Imoke, Babangida Aliyu, Gabriel Suswam  and Sam Egwu, former governors of Cross River, Niger, Benue and Ebonyi states respectively, had in a meeting on July 1 expressed support for the coalition of opposition politicians for the 2027 polls.

The meeting, which was also attended by former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, former Minister of Police, Waziri Maina; Senator Abdul Ningi, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, noted that PDP was now a shadow of its old self.

The coalition of opposition politicians later unveiled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their preferred platform for the 2027 polls. While Mark and Atiku have formally resigned their membership of the opposition party, some PDP, who are yet quiet, have continued to fraternize with the ADC.

However, the PDP acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, while  speaking at the opening session of the NEC meeting, said the party is looking forward to the total dismantling of opposition coalition for the 2027 general elections.

Damagum said some members of the opposition party, who joined the coalition have already returned, while some claimed that they never left the PDP. He added that members of other political parties, who were originally part of the coalition, have also returned to their legacy parties.

The party leader, while stating  that the major opposition party has never been bothered about the coalition, insisted the PDP is the only political party with the requisite structure and national acceptability to sack the APC.

He said:  “I  must address the matter of a so-called coalition recently formed, which includes some defecting members of our party. On this issue, I am pleased to report that this political experiment is nothing to lose sleep over. They say, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Some persons have recently learned this truth in the most uncomfortable way.

“Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claim they never left and merely attended a meeting; we accept their confessions without prejudice.

“Let me add that, this reversal is not limited to PDP members alone. Individuals from other political parties who initially joined this coalition have realised that the venture is ill-fated and their swift return is proof of this.

“To close this matter, I believe that all of us look forward to the total dismantling of this ill-fated coalition, even as we extend our best wishes to those involved.”

Nonetheless, the PDP Board of Trustees said the outcome of the forthcoming national convention of the party, will define the political landscape in the country.

The BoT secretary, Ahmed Makarfi, who spoke at a meeting of the board, ahead of the NEC, said it is up to the party to use the national convention to send a positive message to Nigerians.

Makarfi, while expressing delight over the return of normalcy to the opposition party, said  the PDP must never take things for granted.

According to him, “We have to build on that stability, but we must never take things for granted, because for one reason or the other, some of our friends and associates have left us. I don’t believe they have left us for good.

“I believe, when you look at the agenda, the success of the items scheduled is what will bring most of them back. I cannot say all of them, we can even bring new hands into the PDP.

“So,  the ball is in our court, not only to discuss and approve the items on the agenda, but to make sure the outcome of the scheduled National Convention sends a strong positive message to Nigerians, because that is what is going to define the political landscape in this country.”

The BoT secretary, who cautioned members to be careful of their speech, said “some cannot be working to rebuild the party, and some trying to de-market it”.

He noted that the forthcoming national convention presents the PDP an opportunity to resolve all grievances within its fold, stating that the party must not miss the opportunity.

“We  know that some people are aggrieved, but we have to come down and pull down whatever our grievances may be. If we work together, the convention should resolve all grievances. It’s an opportunity, and we must not miss it. We should be patient and make use of it”, Makarfi stated.