Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have issued fresh conditions for the party’s forthcoming national convention, insisting that the office of National Chairman must remain in the North-Central.
Meeting in Abuja on Monday night under the banner of Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, the group also demanded fresh congresses in the South-East, Ebonyi and Anambra States, as well as local government congresses in Ekiti State.
The stakeholders further called for the outcome of the South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State, on February 22, 2025 — which was recognised by a court — to be respected.
The communique of the meeting, read by former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, warned that failure to implement the resolutions would “render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”
Those in attendance included FCT Minister Wike, PDP National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, former Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), as well as House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martins Amaewhule, PDP Vice Chairmen Abdulrahman Mohammed (North-Central) and Dan Orbih (South-South), and several state chairmen.
The leaders stressed that the PDP was at a defining crossroads and must uphold fairness, inclusivity, and the rule of law to remain relevant as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.
They reaffirmed commitment to equity and inclusivity, noting that the 2021 zoning arrangement adopted by the NEC should remain intact, with the National Chairmanship staying in the North-Central and no micro-zoning introduced.
“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,” the communique read in part.
The stakeholders vowed to remain loyal to the party and work with its organs to ensure that the forthcoming convention becomes “a watershed moment where unity triumphs over division and justice prevails over impunity.”