Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reaffirmed their commitment to holding the party’s national convention on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite threats from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that the exercise could plunge the opposition party into fresh crisis.
The governors, under the aegis of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), met on Saturday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where they declared support for the Ambassador Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the resolutions of the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in July 2025.
Reading the communiqué, Forum Chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said the governors were united in backing the convention and would resist attempts by what they described as “anti-party forces” to derail the process.
“The Forum reaffirms its full commitment to the resolutions of the 101st NEC meeting of July 2025 regarding the November 15 National Convention,” the communiqué stated. “It urges members to resist all attempts to derail the convention by anti-party forces; but to see the PDP as the only democratic institution and viable alternative for restoring Nigeria along the path of good governance and national development.”
The governors commended PDP leaders and members for their loyalty and resilience despite what they described as “orchestrated defections” and intimidation by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government. They argued that such distractions could not weaken the party’s grassroots appeal or diminish public yearning for the return of relative security and affordable living experienced under PDP administrations.
“This sad situation should only be seen as the sign of the desperation of a political party with no agenda, no vision and doomed to face inevitable rejection by the masses,” the governors declared.
On the August 9 by-elections, the Forum condemned what it termed the “over-militarisation” of the polls, citing widespread irregularities, vote buying, and violence. They urged Nigerians to be more vigilant in protecting their votes.
Turning to security, the governors praised Zamfara’s efforts in curbing insecurity but condemned continued killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Benue states, calling on the federal government to be more responsive to the plight of citizens. They also commiserated with the people of Zamfara over the death of the Emir of Gusau and with Oyo State over the loss of traditional rulers.
The Gusau meeting had in attendance Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
However, the camp of Nyesom Wike has insisted that the convention would not hold peacefully unless his conditions are met. Wike, who has been at loggerheads with the party’s leadership, dismissed the NEC meeting that scheduled the convention and demanded recognition of the South-South Zonal Congress held in Calabar, where his ally, Chief Dan Orbih, emerged as National Vice Chairman. The NWC rejected the congress outcome and appointed a caretaker committee led by Emmanuel Ogidi.
Wike warned that failure to recognise Orbih’s emergence could trigger “another round of crisis,” adding that the party must also address the case of South-East Zonal Chairman, Ali Odefa, who was removed by a court ruling.
“They said that they are going for their convention in November. I am not part of it until they have corrected it. Before you talk about the convention, resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved, there will be a crisis,” Wike cautioned.
Despite these threats, the PDP governors maintained that they remain focused on repositioning the party and preparing adequately for the November convention, framing it as a step toward rescuing Nigeria from what they called the “divisive governance style” of the APC.
Sources
