Despite Wike Camp’s Objection, PDP Presses Ahead with November National Convention

By Franklin Adole

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its resolve to proceed with its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, despite objections and threats of disruption from the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Party leaders, including governors and members of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), insisted there would be no postponement or compromise, stressing that preparations were in top gear to deliver a transparent, credible, and unifying convention.
Chairman of the Protocol Sub-Committee and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, told reporters yesterday that the party was determined to stay the course, emphasizing that the planned convention remained a crucial step in repositioning the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are fully committed and will not leave any stone unturned. We are putting in our best and making sacrifices to ensure a successful convention,” Fintiri said.
“Not under our leadership, not during our time, will we let this party down. We are determined, and I assure you that the leaders we will produce will show that the PDP is still alive.”
Fintiri, who spoke with confidence about the level of readiness, added that the screening of aspirants would be handled with fairness and transparency.
“We are not going to deny anybody from contesting. There will be no hanky-panky. Everyone who purchased forms and has no encumbrances will be screened and allowed to test their popularity at the convention,” he stated.
The PDP Governors’ Forum has also thrown its weight behind the exercise, describing it as a vital moment for renewal and internal cohesion.
However, the Wike-led group has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), particularly over issues concerning the South-South zonal structure, and the party’s leadership in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States.
The group has reportedly demanded a review of the micro-zoning formula for national offices and warned that the convention “may not hold as planned” if its concerns were ignored.
But PDP insiders told KTH Daily that the national leadership has no intention of revisiting the decisions already ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 101st meeting on July 24, which resolved to restructure and reposition the party through a new leadership election.
That NEC resolution paved the way for the Ibadan National Elective Convention, where 19 new members of the National Working Committee are expected to emerge.
Governor Fintiri dismissed fears of a possible derailment, saying the party’s unity and institutional resilience would triumph over internal disagreements.
“This party has survived bigger storms,” he said. “With the calibre of men and women we are producing, Nigerians will see that the PDP remains strong and ready to lead again.”