PDP Advances with National Convention Plans Despite Ongoing Reconciliation Efforts
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has firmly declared its readiness to move forward with its national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, even as internal reconciliation talks continue within the party. At a pre-convention press briefing held in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, detailed an extensive timetable of activities leading up to the event, emphasizing that reconciliation efforts will not hinder the process.
Comprehensive Schedule and Committee Formations
Mohammed explained that the briefing aimed to inform Nigerians about the preparations underway. The timetable commences with the publication of members for various convention committees. He revealed that the National Convention Planning and Organising Committee has been established, along with multiple subcommittees covering areas such as:
- Venue and security
- Entertainment and welfare
- Accreditation and media publicity
- Protocol and accommodation
- Transport and electoral matters
- Zoning and screening
- Medical and monitoring
- Secretariat operations
The names and membership of these committees will be made public on March 19, with all committees set for inauguration on Saturday, March 21, at 8:00 p.m., at a venue to be announced later.
Key Pre-Convention Activities
Following the inaugurations, the Zoning Committee will meet on Sunday, March 22, to allocate party positions across Nigeria's geopolitical zones. An emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 23, by noon at the FCT Minister’s Lodge in Life Camp, Abuja. Immediately after this meeting, the sale of nomination forms will begin, running until March 25, closing at 3:00 p.m.
Appeals from the screening of aspirants and related processes will be heard on Thursday, March 26, with proceedings expected to conclude by 7:00 p.m. As part of pre-convention festivities, the party will host a cocktail event on March 28 at the Minister’s Lodge, strictly by invitation. The national convention itself will take place at the Velodrome Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Reconciliation and Electoral Compliance
Addressing concerns about internal disputes, Mohammed affirmed that reconciliation efforts are ongoing but will not delay the convention. He stressed that the party remains open to dialogue and resolving lingering disagreements among stakeholders. On compliance with electoral regulations, Mohammed stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been duly notified and has consistently monitored the party’s congresses at ward, local council, and state levels.
He added that the PDP has completed its state congresses in accordance with a court judgment by Justice James Omotosho, noting this was a prerequisite for holding the national convention. The congress in Plateau State was recently concluded, while zonal congresses for the South-East and North-East regions are scheduled for Saturday.
ADC Stakeholders Advocate for Southern Presidential Ticket
In related political developments, stakeholders from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have urged the party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria. This move aims to build a winning national coalition ahead of next year’s general elections. The call emerged from a strategy conference in Abuja, jointly convened by the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) and ADC stakeholders, themed 'From Opposition to Government: Building the Winning Coalition for Nigeria 2027'.
Addressing participants, COPDEM’s National Chairman, Pam Rwang Jr, highlighted that while the recommendation is not yet an official party decision, it is likely to influence early alignments within ADC. The conference communiqué pointed to Nigeria’s challenges, including economic pressures, insecurity, and declining public trust in leadership. It argued that a Southern ticket would help assemble a broad, credible, and nationally accepted governing coalition.
Participants emphasized the need for the party’s message to resonate with shared values of fairness, unity, inclusion, and justice across Nigeria, noting that electoral success historically depends on respecting informal regional power rotations.
With preparations in full swing, the PDP leadership expressed confidence that the convention will proceed as planned, marking a critical step in repositioning the party for future political contests.
