Tension is rising within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as over 3,000 delegates prepare to storm Ibadan, Oyo State, for the party’s national elective convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025.
The high-stakes event comes amid deepening divisions between two rival factions of the opposition party.
On one side is the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, backed by the PDP Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees (BoT), and Forum of State Chairmen.
On the other side is the camp loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, which has formed a parallel leadership and continues to challenge Damagum’s authority.
Two weeks ago, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court restrained the party from proceeding with the convention and also barred INEC from monitoring it, citing procedural irregularities in notifying the commission.
In response, the Damagum-led NWC suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature for alleged anti-party activities.
A day later, the Anyanwu camp retaliated by announcing the suspension of Damagum and the entire NWC, naming Abdulrahman Mohammed, the PDP Deputy National Vice Chairman (North Central), as the party’s new acting National Chairman.
However, the Damagum faction gained fresh momentum after Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court granted an ex parte order allowing the convention to proceed as planned.
With this green light, preparations are in full swing in Ibadan, even as the Wike–Anyanwu faction insists the event will not hold.
A party insider told The PUNCH that over 3,000 delegates, including super delegates — former officeholders and influential party figures — are expected to participate.
“More than 3,000 delegates are participating, and don’t forget there are super delegates and elected delegates,” the source said. “When some people say certain states are disenfranchised, it’s not true. The PDP still has many former leaders and members across all states.”
As both factions dig in, the Ibadan convention is shaping up to be a decisive moment for the PDP’s unity — or its further fragmentation.
