The Board of Trustees, BoT, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said it would not align with any faction in the ongoing internal crisis rocking the party, as elders move to reconcile all aggrieved groups, ahead of the 2025 elective national convention in Ibadan.
National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, and the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, disclosed this while addressing leaders of the party on the rising tension within the party at the 83rd Meeting of PDP Board of Trustees in Abuja yesterday.
Damagum welcomed the recent ruling by Justice Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, which upheld PDP’s right to go ahead with its 2025 elective national convention.
“Our party has sufficiently satisfied all provisions of the law and, therefore, retains the constitutional right to organise its internal democratic processes, specifically, to hold the 2025 elective national convention,” he said.
He commended the courage of the judiciary in delivering the ruling, despite pressure and hostile political climate.
“What Justice Akintola did, in this era of judicial intimidation and moral compromise, is an act of courage,” he added.
Reflecting on his early days in office, Damagum explained that he met a party struggling with mistrust and division, and chose reconciliation, rather than retribution.
He said: “When I assumed office as the acting national chairman of the PDP, I met a deeply divided house. I realised then that what our party needed most was reconciliation, not vengeance, not anger, not blame.”
According to him, every compromise was to protect the party from further damage.
“Every decision I took, every compromise I made, every gesture of accommodation was for the sake of the party. I chose the party, not individuals, not factions, but the enduring institution of the PDP that shall outlive us all,’’ Damagum said.
In his remarks, BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, reaffirmed that the BoT would remain neutral and focus on bringing the party back together as it prepared for the Ibadan convention.
“As the conscience of the party, the Board of Trustees cannot and will not take sides. Our sacred duty is to safeguard the integrity of the PDP and ensure that dialogue triumphs over discord,” Wabara stated.
He acknowledged that the recent clashes and public scenes involving party members were unfortunate and did not reflect the character of the PDP, urging members to let go of grudges and rebuild trust.
“No ambition, no grievance, and no factional loyalty should override the collective interest of the PDP. Nigerian people are watching us closely,” he said.
To actualise this, the BoT announced the creation of a high-powered reconciliation committee to engage all sides and restore peace, ahead of the November 15–16 convention in Ibadan.
Members of the committee include Amb. Hassan Adamu as chairman; Chief Mike Oghiadomhe as secretary; Chief Ugochukwu Okeke; Senator Zaynab Kure; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and Dr. Lubna Mohammed Gusau.
The committee is expected to submit its report by November 11, 2025.
The BoT also commended the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee, PDP Governors Forum, National Convention Organising Committee, and other key organs for keeping the party stable during this turbulent period.
Wabara expressed confidence that with sincerity and collective effort, the party could emerge stronger.
“Let this meeting today mark the beginning of a new chapter defined by forgiveness, dialogue, and a renewed sense of purpose,’’ he counselled.
The meeting ended with a renewed call for unity and loyalty, as leaders expressed hope that a peaceful and credible convention would reset the party and strengthen it as a constructive and united opposition.
Muhammed-led NWC calls off convention as leadership crisis boils over
Meanwhile, tensions within the party deepened yesterday as the factional National Working Committee, NWC, which aligns with the Minister of the FCT, announced the suspension of the proposed national convention, citing the need to uphold the rule of law, pending the outcome of ongoing court cases.
Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, who addressed the press alongside National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, explained that the faction had obtained the Certified True Copy of the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho in Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.
He said this prompted the decision to pause all arrangements for the convention until legal issues were resolved.
“In strict adherence to due process and our commitment to fairness, we have filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal to seek further judicial clarification and interpretation in the overall interest of our party, our members and Nigerian democracy,” he said.
He added that going ahead with the convention now would amount to disobeying an existing court judgment, insisting that the PDP must set the right example.
“Having filed an appeal and in line with our responsibility to uphold the rule of law, the PDP hereby suspends and cancels the proposed Ibadan national convention, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. Any continuation with the proposed convention at this time would amount to a violation of the rule of law and shall not be condoned,” he said.
Muhammed also confirmed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which was a party to the suit, had been formally informed of the decision.
“Accordingly, we have notified INEC to suspend the National Convention in strict compliance with the directive contained in the judgment,” he added.
Muhammed dismissed an ex parte order reportedly issued by an Oyo State High Court, saying it could not supersede the Federal High Court ruling.
“An ex parte order cannot override a subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court. We shall continue to act only in accordance with valid judicial authority and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Despite the internal crisis, the Acting Chairman stressed that the PDP remained united and committed to democratic values.
“As a responsible, law-abiding, and democratic institution, the PDP remains unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional governance, and internal party democracy,” he said.
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