PDP National Convention faces uncertainty as Damagum and Wike factions clash ahead of the Ibadan gathering set for November 15 and 16.
The PDP National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, has sparked growing tension within Nigeria’s main opposition party as rival factions battle for control.
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More than 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the event, which is being organised by the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC). The group enjoys the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees, and state chairmen across the federation.
However, the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rejected the planned convention, arguing that it violates a subsisting court order. The Wike-backed group recently installed its own acting chairman, intensifying the leadership crisis.
Penultimate Friday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court restrained the PDP from holding the convention and barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from monitoring it, citing procedural violations.
In response, the Damagum-led NWC suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Organising Secretary Umar Bature for one month over alleged anti-party activities.
Anyanwu’s camp retaliated by announcing the suspension of Damagum and his NWC, naming Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman.
Days later, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court issued an ex parte order authorising the party to proceed with the convention — a ruling now cited by the Damagum group as the “most current and valid.”
A senior PDP official aligned with the Damagum camp told The PUNCH that the convention would go ahead, insisting that over 3,000 delegates — including super delegates — were accredited.
“There are two court orders from concurrent courts, and by law, the party may choose which to obey,” he said.
Senator Anyanwu, however, maintained that the Ibadan convention would amount to contempt of court.
“Whoever organises it will cause a problem for the party. Even if a governor organises it, it will be a nullity,” he said, arguing that the PDP had failed to properly notify INEC within the required 21-day period.
The deepening rift has drawn in key party leaders. Former Kaduna State governor and PDP Board of Trustees member, Ahmed Makarfi, said only the NWC could clarify the true status of the convention.
Meanwhile, Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor, a member of the Wike camp, accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of “aiding the crisis” due to his alleged presidential ambition.
“Whatever they are planning in Ibadan is not a PDP convention but an early Christmas party organised by Governor Makinde and his friends,” he said.
Osadolor urged party leaders to prioritise reconciliation before holding any convention, warning that failure to resolve the crisis could further fracture the PDP.
While the Damagum camp argues that its NWC remains legitimate, the Wike faction insists that the party must first implement Justice Omotosho’s ruling and address internal grievances.
As reconciliation committees continue to meet behind the scenes, insiders say this week’s discussions will determine whether the convention proceeds or faces yet another postponement.
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With both camps refusing to back down, the PDP National Convention is shaping up to be a decisive test of unity for a party still struggling to recover from its post-2023 election divisions.
