Govs give PDP renewed hope of rebound

…as zoning the presidency still remains knotty issue

There is renewed hope for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has suffered years of internal crises and setbacks, as governors of the party are making strategic moves to restore its relevance as a strong opposition force ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Since former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidency to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, the PDP has struggled with leadership instability and internal fragmentation. The party’s current challenges include disputes over the position of its National Secretary and a spate of defections by governors and influential members to the ruling APC.

Political analysts fear the PDP may be heading towards extinction if the trend continues. Barrister Ade Ademuwagun, former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, warned that the defection crisis could deal a fatal blow to the party, similar to the fate of defunct political parties in Nigeria. He, however, welcomed the intervention of serving PDP governors.

Governors’ Intervention
In a bid to rescue the party, PDP governors have held a series of crucial meetings, first in Ibadan in late April and more recently in Abuja. The alarm was triggered by the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who was the PDP vice-presidential candidate in 2023, as well as three PDP senators from Kebbi State.

The Ibadan meeting provided a strategic direction. Hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde, it addressed speculation about a possible merger of opposition parties. In the communique, the PDP governors stated that while they welcome alliances with parties or groups aiming to dislodge the APC in 2027, the PDP will not enter into any formal coalition or merger. They also resolved that the Deputy National Secretary should act pending the nomination of a substantive National Secretary from the South-East, following a Supreme Court ruling.

The governors further agreed to establish a Zoning Committee to handle zoning matters and set the date for the party’s convention for August 28–30, 2025, in Kano.

Outstanding Issues
At the follow-up meeting in Abuja, PDP governors and party leaders agreed to overhaul the party’s structure in preparation for 2027. They established a seven-member reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, tasked with resolving internal conflicts and ensuring a smooth National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27.

Prominent figures at the Abuja meeting included PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, and former Bayelsa State Governor Senator Seriake Dickson. They all pledged to prevent the party’s collapse.

However, APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje dismissed the efforts, describing the PDP as “irredeemable and already dead.” In response, Bala Mohammed insisted the PDP remains strong. “Rather than diminishing and weakening us, these challenges are making us stronger,” he said, promising support for PDP strongholds.

Mohammed emphasized that the meetings were meant to reassure party supporters that the PDP is united and functioning. Saraki, heading the reconciliation panel that includes Governors Lawal, Muftwang, and Mbah, as well as Senators Dickson, Dankwambo, and Ikpeazu, expressed optimism. “We hope to do our best in repositioning the party. We have discussed the existential issues threatening the party and will work toward a smooth NEC and early convention in August,” he said.

Not Yet Uhuru
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, warned the party against internal manipulation and exclusion. He criticized the decision to oust Senator Sam Anyanwu as National Secretary despite a Supreme Court ruling that overturned the appeal court’s judgment. Speaking during a television interview, Wike said excluding people and failing to learn from past mistakes could doom the party. “You haven’t won an election, but you’re already excluding people. Selfish interests can kill an organization,” he said.

Atiku’s Coalition Plan
Meanwhile, the APC Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Mr. Sadare, said the defection of PDP leaders like Okowa is evidence that they recognize President Tinubu’s achievements and want to contribute to national development. He dismissed fears that new members could destabilize the APC, saying the party has strong internal regulations.

Political observers are, however, concerned about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s focus on forming a coalition while PDP leaders are working to stabilize the party. Addressing a delegation from Kogi East, led by former Deputy Governor Simon Achuba, Atiku proposed a coalition of PDP, APC, and Labour Party members to unseat Tinubu in 2027. “This is the only way forward to confront such an incompetent and inefficient government,” he said.

It remains unclear whether Atiku’s coalition will result in a merger similar to the one that formed the APC in 2013 or whether parties will retain their identities in a united front against the APC.