PDP Governors Insist November Convention Will Hold Despite Wike Camp’s Conditions

Despite resistance from the camp of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, governors elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, alongside the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and other leaders, have reaffirmed that the party’s National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, will proceed as planned.

At the inauguration of the 119-member National Convention Planning Committee in Abuja on Tuesday, PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, declared that the party “will not bow to arrogance and impunity,” stressing that the convention is “sacrosanct.” Mohammed, flanked by his colleagues, warned that disciplinary measures would be taken against members undermining the PDP’s collective interest, describing Wike’s loyalists as a “faction of fools.”

PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Adolphus Wabara—represented by Secretary Ahmed Makarfi—emphasised that both northern and southern leaders were free to micro-zone party offices but insisted that every member retained the right to contest. The convention, he said, must be anchored on fairness, inclusivity, and respect for due process.

The strong stance came in response to Wike’s allies, who on Monday, under the banner Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, warned that the November convention would be “invalid” if their resolutions were ignored. Reading their communiqué, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom listed demands including: keeping the party chairmanship in the North-Central, conducting fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States, holding a new South-East Zonal Congress, upholding the outcome of the South-South Congress in Cross River, and conducting pending congresses in Ekiti State. They warned that failure to comply would amount to disenfranchisement and render the convention illegitimate.

The Bauchi governor countered: “We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody. This convention is on course. Enough is enough, we will no longer tolerate impunity. If anyone wants to form a faction of fools, so be it.”

Supporting the governors’ position, Oyo PDP spokesman Micheal Ogunsina insisted the convention was “a done deal” that would “set the party free from satanic infiltrations.”

For his part, Damagum reassured members of his commitment to reconciliation and stability, noting that the PDP remains Nigeria’s strongest opposition force. “The PDP is not broken, not defeated. The PDP is marching forward, more determined to reclaim power,” he said, charging the committee to deliver a convention guided by fairness, justice and unity.

Committee Chairman and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, pledged to deliver a credible convention, while Co-Chair Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Vice Chairman Tanimu Turaki joined other top leaders in attendance, including Governors Seyi Makinde and Peter Mbah’s representative, Ifeanyi Ossai.

Party insiders, however, alleged that Wike’s moves are aimed at destabilising the PDP to the advantage of President Bola Tinubu. Former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri and PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor both warned against placing personal ambition above party survival, urging members to prepare for Ibadan.

With both camps entrenched, the November convention is shaping up to be a defining test of the PDP’s ability to overcome internal divisions and reassert itself as Nigeria’s leading opposition force.