Judul : Can Ibadan convention heal PDP’s years of scars?
link : Can Ibadan convention heal PDP’s years of scars?
Can Ibadan convention heal PDP’s years of scars?
Over the past two years, the Peoples Democratic Party has endured a turbulent storm, including dealing with power struggles among its leaders and now seeking redemption ahead of the 2027 election using the November elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, as a launch pad, writes ABDULRAHMAN ZAKARIYAU
The PDP ruled Nigeria at the federal level for 16 years, dominating most of the states across the country. However, its stronghold was broken in 2015 when the late President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress won the presidential election, and repeated the same feat in 2019. Since then, the PDP has become a shadow of its former self. Ahead of the 2023 general election and till the present day, the PDP has faced a series of internal crises that have left deep scars. Despite these challenges, members of the party continue to fight for a second chance to reset and rebuild. Central to the party’s struggles in 2023 were unresolved tensions between two key factions: one loyal to former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the other aligned with the then party’s presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. These divisions deeply polarised the party’s core structures, including the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and Governors’ Forum.
This internal discord played a significant role in the party’s loss to incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the APC, with disputes over North-South power-sharing formulas further weakening the PDP’s electoral appeal. As party leaders grappled with yet another self-inflicted defeat, calls for the removal of acting Chairman Umar Damagum emerged, compounded by the political crisis in Rivers State between Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. These conflicts dragged on for almost a year, tarnishing the party’s public image and diminishing its political relevance.
In October 2024, tensions escalated within the party, leading to a factional split in the National Working Committee. The suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and others announced by PDP Director of Publicity Chinwe Nnorom was met with a counter-suspension of Umar Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu by the party’s own publicity secretary. Consequently, Damagum led one faction of the NWC, while National Treasurer Ahmed Yayari Mohammed headed another, leaving party members and Nigerians confused about the party’s true leadership. This impasse lasted several days until the PDP Governors Forum, led by the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, intervened to reconcile the factions and reunite the NWC under Damagum’s leadership.
However, just weeks after this reconciliation, the party was plunged into another crisis when the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu removed Senator Anyanwu as National Secretary and appointed former National Youth Leader Sunday Udeh-Okoye in his place. This decision deepened the party’s internal divisions, with Wike leading those demanding Anyanwu remain in office, while Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Peter Mbah of Enugu, and others backed Udeh-Okoye.
As the legal dispute over the position of PDP National Secretary dragged on for nearly a year, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Ologunagba, consistently used the media to inspire confidence among party members and, by extension, the Nigerian public. He repeatedly assured that the PDP would emerge stronger from its internal challenges.
In an interview with The PUNCH during the tussle, Ologunagba emphasised the party’s broad and organic support base, noting: “This party is very large, with a massive grassroots following, so it’s natural for issues to arise. These challenges are visible because the PDP is the only truly democratic party. Unlike the APC, which operates like a multipurpose vehicle controlled by a single individual, the PDP encourages internal debate and diversity of opinion.”
He added that, “while internal struggles to align different interests are expected, the party has effective conflict-resolution mechanisms in place. I am confident, like millions of our members are too, that the PDP would bounce back stronger as it remains the most popular party with a presence across all parts of the country.”
However, despite Ologunagba’s assurances and efforts to reshape the party’s public image, several key figures including Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), former Delta Governor and 2023 vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as senators and members of the House of Representatives defected to the APC or aligned with the African Democratic Congress.
As the legal battle over the position of National Secretary dragged on, the party’s public image remained damaged while it lost the support of Nigerians. Amid the growing unrest, some members defected, and the PDP found it increasingly difficult to convene critical meetings, especially National Executive Committee sessions, where the crisis could have been addressed.
In the midst of the turbulence, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Ologunagba, served as the link between the party’s leadership and membership, as well as the wider Nigerian public. He led efforts to rebrand the party’s public image and perception, issuing public notices and press statements to reawaken members’ consciousness, douse tensions, and restore confidence in the party. Ologunagba also helped clarify the legal implications of the party’s decisions and inactions, guiding both members and the public through complex developments.
These efforts began to bear fruit when the collective push from PDP governors, the Board of Trustees, the party’s spokesperson, and other NWC members led to a breakthrough. Insisting on moving forward, they ensured that the 100th NEC meeting was held on June 30, as originally scheduled. The meeting proved pivotal. It ultimately resolved the protracted leadership dispute by reinstating Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, following months of litigation and his formal recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Despite the damage caused by months of internal crises, the PDP has begun the process of healing and reconciliation. Through its internal conflict resolution mechanisms, often amplified by the consistent messaging of its Publicity Secretary, party leaders have spoken about not leaving a leaking roof as owners of the house, offering one another second chances in the interest of unity.
This renewed spirit of reconciliation was formalised at the PDP’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on July 23, where it was resolved that a National Elective Convention would be held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. There, 19 new members will be elected into the National Working Committee, marking what the party hopes will be a major step toward internal restructuring and external redemption. For many in the PDP, Ibadan represents more than just a venue; it symbolises an opportunity for rebirth after years of political scars and missed chances.
Nonetheless, the party’s unity remains delicate. The group aligned with the former Rivers State Governor has voiced strong objections to the PDP’s micro-zoning of National Working Committee positions and the continued recognition of certain zonal leaders. They have warned of potential fresh crises if key allies, such as Dan Orbih, are not officially recognised as South-South Vice Chairman, or if figures like Ali Odefa remain in charge of the South East zone. In an effort to ease tensions, the party offered some political concessions in the South East but maintained its stance in the South South, proceeding with the micro-zoning arrangements and encouraging members to participate in the process. Still, the overall outcome remains uncertain.
Reacting to the developments, President of the Nigerian Political Science Association, Prof Hassan Salihu, advised the party’s leadership to maintain a reconciliatory approach. He emphasised the need for broader consultations and mutual concessions in the lead-up to the convention.
Salihu stated, “Well, let me start by acknowledging the fact that some members of NWC, like the Publicity Secretary and other highly-placed members of the party, have been working tirelessly to get the matters or issues affecting the party negatively resolved.
“However, one would want to give the following pieces of advice. One, I think the PDP is not yet in a strong position to wield the stick; that is, it should continue to be reconciliatory. This idea of suspending, expelling, this and that may not help the healing process and may affect the November convention.
“Ahead of the convention, I want to advise the party to do what I will call trade-offs – approaching the issue through consultation. PDP is not in a normal time where there’s no guidance. They may have to go contrary to what people are expecting, so there is a need for them to approach it with the mindset of give-and-take, recognising the forces in the party and letting everybody go with something. This idea of a unity court may not help a party that is undergoing a healing process.”
He added, “If ever they have to apologise, I would say: let everybody do it. Let them have a lot of discussions. Let them engage in meaningful conversations before they go to Ibadan. And in Ibadan, let them be ready to make sacrifices. Let them be prepared to make trade-offs, or whatever is necessary, in a way that will leave everyone satisfied. If they engage in consultation and make sacrifices for one another and for the party, then the convention will go as expected, provided the court does not interfere. But whether the outcome will be acceptable to all, only time will tell.”
Addressing concerns about the forthcoming National Elective Convention, Ologunagba has stressed that the party is working collectively and diligently to ensure a smooth and successful convention in Ibadan.
Ologunagba said, “The outcome of the convention at Ibadan is going to give birth to a very solid party, having regard to its character in the past. For 16 years, Nigerians remember with nostalgia the performance of this party when the country was progressing in a positive direction.
“So, PDP will take the National Convention as its platform to launch itself back to Nigeria. Nigerians are waiting eagerly, and that’s why each time we speak, they are excited. They are anxious to get us back to where we are.”
As the Ibadan Convention draws near, despite assurances from Publicity Secretary and other party leaders, questions linger within and outside the party: Will the PDP rise above its scars and truly reset? Will this gathering produce a new generation of leaders capable of repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 elections? Or will lingering grudges and unresolved zoning disputes overshadow what should be a pivotal moment of unity? For a party chasing redemption, the Ibadan convention may well determine whether the PDP’s second chance leads to rebirth or another round of internal collapse.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).Thus the article Can Ibadan convention heal PDP’s years of scars?
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