Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named a 119-member committee to organise its national convention in November, warning against attempts to undermine the exercise.
The convention committee, inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, will be led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as vice-chairman and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah as secretary.
Damagum said the convention was a critical step in repositioning the party for the 2027 elections, noting that despite challenges, the PDP “remains the leading voice of opposition in Nigeria.” He urged members to put aside grievances and work towards fairness, equity and unity.
Party governors also pledged support for the process. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, said consensus-building would be encouraged but cautioned against arrogance and impunity within the ranks.
Senator Ahmed Makarfi, secretary of the Board of Trustees, advised members against raising tensions over zoning arrangements, stressing that aspirants unhappy with consensus options were free to contest.
Fintiri, chairing the convention committee, promised a transparent process similar to the 2022 exercise. He appealed to members to prioritise the collective interest and avoid using the media for personal battles.
The development comes as PDP stakeholders led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike set conditions for a valid convention, insisting that it must be inclusive and that the party’s chairmanship position remain in the North-Central zone.
