PDP convention crisis worsens as state chairmen disown lawsuit to halt Ibadan convention, accuse APC of sabotage and reaffirm loyalty to party unity.
PDP convention crisis escalated on Wednesday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairmen Forum dissociated itself from a court case aimed at halting the party’s much-anticipated national convention, scheduled to take place in Ibadan this November.
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Addressing journalists in Abuja, Forum Chairman and Edo State PDP Chair, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, described the lawsuit as a betrayal of party unity, accusing those behind it of colluding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to destabilise Nigeria’s leading opposition party.
The suit in question was filed by Imo PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnana, and South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah Alabah George, challenging the legitimacy of the planned elective convention.
Their move has sparked outrage within the party, with Aziegbemi announcing their suspension from the Forum, effective immediately.
“Some of us cannot be used to bring down this house,” he said.
“We condemn the lawsuit in the strongest terms and dissociate ourselves completely from that action.”
The Forum passed a vote of confidence in the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Ambassador Umar Damagum, as well as the PDP Governors’ Forum, vowing to support efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aziegbemi reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to the success of the upcoming convention, calling on all PDP organs to draw strength from their stance.
“We as state chairmen will give all the necessary support to ensure a smooth and well-organised convention,” he pledged.
The chairmen accused the APC-led Federal Government of attempting to derail the convention and weaken the PDP through intimidation and political coercion.
“This is a major plot by the APC to establish a one-party state,” Aziegbemi said.
“They are using some of our members as tools to ensure that the PDP does not hold its convention.”
He warned Nigerians to remain vigilant, asserting that the APC was prioritising political sabotage over governance, despite rising economic hardship across the country.
The PDP’s Ibadan convention, agreed upon at the party’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting in July, is expected to usher in 19 new members of the **National Working Committee, after months of internal wrangling.
However, loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike have raised objections regarding the micro-zoning formula and South-South leadership structure, fuelling tension in the build-up to the event.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed October 16 for the hearing of the case filed by Nwachukwu, Nnana, and George.
Also read: PDP confirms plans for inclusive national convention
“We share the pains of Nigerians. Sixty million of our people go to bed hungry, and yet the APC chooses to focus on undermining the opposition. But we will not be deterred. The PDP will hold its convention and emerge stronger.”
