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Tension in PDP: Govs, BoT Reconvene as NEC Meeting Stalls
Amid growing internal unrest, the National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ended its Monday meeting without a resolution. Key organs of the party — the Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and a peace panel led by ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki — are set to reconvene today (Tuesday) to chart a path forward for the long-delayed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking to journalists after nearly three hours of deliberation in Abuja, acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum said the meeting was adjourned and would continue Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Several prominent figures — including ex-Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal — were absent from Monday’s meeting, which was expected to lay the groundwork for the PDP’s 99th NEC session originally slated for May 27.
The PDP continues to face deepening divisions triggered by crises such as the leadership disputes in Rivers State and the South South Zonal Congress, ongoing wrangling over the National Secretary position, and recent friction surrounding the North Central Zonal Congress.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and governors including Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Ahmadu Fintiri (Taraba) are reportedly displeased with decisions led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Enugu’s Peter Mbah, and Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed, which they see as marginalising Wike’s political allies.
Despite interventions from the National Working Committee (NWC), BoT, NEC, and Governors’ Forum, the situation has worsened, stalling the NEC meeting and paralyzing critical decision-making.
The 98th NEC meeting on April 18, 2024, failed to resolve major disputes, and subsequent efforts to reconvene were repeatedly postponed — from August to October, then November — before being shelved indefinitely.
In a push to resolve the impasse, the PDP Governors’ Forum directed the NWC in December 2024 to convene the NEC by February 2025. The deadline was extended multiple times — to March, then May 15 — before finally settling on May 27 during a meeting in Ibadan.
To salvage the date, a seven-member committee of current and former governors, headed by Saraki, was tasked with resolving lingering issues.
However, Wike pulled out of prior reconciliation agreements on Sunday, citing unmet demands and refusal to recognize his allies — particularly regarding the position of National Secretary.
Adding to the turmoil, the Federal Capital Territory Authority sealed the PDP National Secretariat on Monday afternoon due to unpaid ground rent. The BoT meeting, initially scheduled at Wadata Plaza, was moved to Legacy House in Maitama but was ultimately canceled without explanation.
After prolonged talks, the governors, BoT members, and Saraki-led panel postponed discussions to Tuesday morning.
Damagum, flanked by PDP governors, told the press that the fate of the NEC meeting hinges on today’s deliberations. “We just adjourned our meeting for today till tomorrow at 10 a.m.,” he said. “A small committee has been formed to deliver a report, and discussions will continue in the morning.”
Sources at the meeting told The PUNCH on condition of anonymity that Monday’s adjournment was to allow Saraki’s panel to meet key party leaders overnight and prepare solution-based reports.
“These reports will guide renewed peace talks and determine whether the NEC meeting proceeds as planned or is rescheduled,” the source said.
The PDP, formed in 1998, is now facing one of its gravest challenges. The recent defection of Oluwole Oke, a five-time House of Representatives member from Osun, and other rumoured exits are threatening to weaken the party’s standing ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a major blow, the party recently lost Delta State — once a stronghold — to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with former Vice Presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, commissioners, local government chairmen, and grassroots leaders all switching allegiance.
Critics have also taken aim at Damagum’s leadership since he succeeded Iyorchia Ayu. The crisis has disrupted party activities across states, leaving several chapters and zonal structures — especially in the South-South — in disarray.
In-fighting over the National Secretary role has split the NWC, reducing its functionality, while the BoT is severely weakened, with many members’ tenures expired and the remainder divided into factions.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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