PDP Stakeholders Push for Consensus as Chairmanship Race Heats Up

As preparations intensify for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan, conversations within the party are centering on the possibility of adopting a consensus approach in selecting the next National Chairman.

Top figures reportedly interested in the position include former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana; former PDP Chairman, Kawu Baraje; former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi; and the current acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who is quietly building alliances to transition from interim to substantive chairman.

Multiple party insiders, speaking to The Press on condition of anonymity, revealed that discussions around consensus are gaining traction, particularly among influential members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). However, there remains a sharp divide, with some leaders pushing for a transparent and competitive process that allows all capable aspirants to vie for the role.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has added urgency to the conversation, warning that any mismanagement of leadership arrangements in the South-South and South-East could undermine the convention’s integrity and destabilize party unity.

The upcoming convention follows the 101st NEC meeting held on July 24, where the party approved the election of 19 new officials into its National Working Committee (NWC). In line with the PDP’s 2027 amended Constitution, the National Convention is the highest decision-making organ of the party and is empowered to elect officers, formulate policies, and amend its rules.

Though the convention will not include the selection of a presidential candidate, it is viewed as a pivotal moment in restructuring the party’s leadership for the next four years. Key positions up for grabs include National Chairman, two Deputy Chairmen, National Secretary, and other top roles as outlined in Part VIII, Section 29 of the constitution.

Zoning of these offices, a longstanding PDP tradition, is expected to be announced at the next NEC meeting later in August. According to a senior stakeholder, “The party is emerging from a prolonged internal crisis and cannot afford another. Many leaders now believe consensus is the safest way forward”.

Still, concerns persist. Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, acknowledged that while consensus is part of the democratic process, it must not override the rights of members to contest. “Let everyone with capacity and interest come forward, campaign, and allow the delegates to decide” he said.

Similarly, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, urged caution in adopting consensus, noting that while it can unify, it can also deepen divisions if not handled properly.

Efforts to reach some of the top contenders, Damagum, Makarfi, Baraje, and Gana, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were either unanswered or redirected.

As the PDP seeks to rebuild and reposition itself ahead of future national elections, the outcome of the chairmanship race—and the method by which it is decided, will likely shape the party’s trajectory and internal cohesion in the years to come.