The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is gearing up for its National Convention, scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. However, a group within the party, led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has issued a set of conditions that must be met to ensure the convention’s success.
This group, which includes prominent party members such as National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Samuel Ortom, as well as factional National Vice Chairman Dan Orbih, met in Abuja to discuss the party’s future. They emphasized that the PDP stands at a critical crossroads, where its ability to reconcile internal disputes, uphold fairness, and respect constitutional processes will determine its future relevance.
The group warned against disenfranchisement of members, exclusion, or neglect of valid judicial pronouncements at the convention. They stressed that a credible National Convention must be anchored on transparency, fairness, and respect for the rule of law, as well as inclusivity. To achieve this, they called on the National Working Committee to conduct fresh, transparent, and inclusive congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States, in line with court judgments.
Furthermore, the group wants the outcome of the South-South congress held in Calabar, Cross River State, to be upheld, and immediate conduct of the Ekiti State local government areas congress in obedience to a subsisting court judgment. They also accepted the recommendations of the zoning committee on zoning of party offices but emphasized that there should be no micro-zoning for peace and stability within the party.
The group warned that failure to comply with these resolutions and demands would render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised. They emphasized that the PDP was built on the foundation of inclusivity, fairness, and justice, and that the party must rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility to reclaim its pride of place as the leading opposition.
The PDP has yet to react to these demands, but it remains to be seen how the party will respond to the conditions set by the Wike-led group.
