Senior PDP Leader Opposes Convention Amid Legal Uncertainty

A senior chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong opposition to the party’s forthcoming National Convention scheduled for 15–16 November 2025 in Ibadan, citing ongoing political and legal disputes that threaten the stability of the opposition party.

In a statement shared on 12 November 2025, the influential PDP leader revealed that he received members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) Reconciliation Team, led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu (Wakili Adamawa), who visited him to seek his views on how best to restore peace and unity within the party.

According to him, the meeting was “meaningful and incisive,” as they discussed key issues affecting the PDP, including the controversial national convention that has become the centre of intense debate and litigation.

“Legal Battles Will Only Deepen the Divide”

During the meeting, the PDP stalwart lamented that despite the genuine efforts by several stakeholders to reconcile warring factions, the convention has been “mired in extensive controversy, both political and legal.”

He warned that such developments “do not bode well for not only our party, but for Nigeria’s democracy in general,” adding that political crises are best resolved through dialogue, not through the courts.

“I made it clear to the BOT team that political matters can hardly be resolved through the courts. Affairs of political parties are best resolved amicably with all sides seated round the table. Legal battles will only continue to cause friction,” he stated.

Conflicting Court Orders Cast Doubt on Convention

The PDP leader further noted that there are conflicting court orders concerning the legality of the Ibadan convention, which creates serious uncertainty about its outcome.

“As it stands, there is no assurance as to whether the conduct and outcome of the convention will stand,” he cautioned, adding that proceeding under such conditions could jeopardise the political aspirations of party members.

He stressed that as a responsible leader, he could not support any process that might undermine the collective interest of his people or destabilise the PDP’s electoral prospects.

Call for a Caretaker Committee

Offering what he described as a path toward “true reconciliation and stability,” the PDP chieftain advised the BOT team to set up a Caretaker Committee within the next two days to temporarily steer the affairs of the party.

“This is the only solution available to us now. It will restore confidence among members, especially those planning to contest elections on the PDP platform,” he said.

He emphasised that no serious politician would risk contesting under a platform engulfed in legal disputes, noting that “it is unclear whether such nominations will be valid or declared null and void.”

“Going Ahead With Ibadan Convention Is a Waste of Effort”

Concluding his remarks, the party leader maintained that moving forward with the Ibadan Convention under the current climate would “only serve to further fuel the present crisis.”

“Therefore, going ahead with the Convention as scheduled is a waste of efforts. It does not have my support. It’s not too late to find a win-win solution,” he concluded.

Political observers told Akahi News that the PDP now faces a defining moment, as internal divisions deepen ahead of the 2027 general elections. Whether the party leadership will heed the call for a caretaker committee or proceed with the convention remains to be seen.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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