Notable leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who are loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, have demanded the retention of the 2021 Convention’s zoning arrangements, insisting that the National Chairman of the party must remain in the North-Central.
The PDP leaders, who met in Abuja on Monday night, under the auspices of Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, also called for the conduct of a fresh South-East Zonal Congress, and new congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States as well as Local Government congress in Ekiti State.
They also demanded that the outcome of the South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State, on February 22, 2025, and recognised by the court, be respected.
In the communique after the meeting, read by the immediate-past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, the PDP members cautioned that “failure to comply with the resolutions and demands shall render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”
Among those who attended the meeting were the FCT Minister Wike; PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; former governors of Abia, Benue, Ekiti and Enugu States, Okezie Ikpeazu, Samuel Ortom, Ayo Fayose and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, respectively; House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and the suspended Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Ameawhule.
Also in the meeting were serving and former members of the National Assembly, embattled North-Central and South-South National Vice Chairmen, Abdulrahman Mohammed and Dan Orbih, as well as Abia, Benue, FCT, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States PDP chairmen, among others.
The Communique read; “We, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), having met to review the state of our great party and assessed the critical issues leading to the forthcoming National Convention, do hereby express our collective commitment to the principles of equity, justice, inclusivity, and the rule of law – values upon which the PDP was founded and upon which its survival depends.
“We reaffirm our belief that leadership positions within the party must remain open, inclusive, and competitive, while ensuring regional equity in accordance with the PDP’s long-standing traditions.
“In the spirit of unity and progress, and mindful of the party’s historical role as a custodian of Nigeria’s democratic aspirations, we considered it imperative and expedient to make the following observations and convey our demands to the party leadership and the National Working Committee (NWC) as we prepare for the National Convention.
“It is our observations that the PDP stands at a defining crossroads where its ability to reconcile internal disputes, uphold fairness, and respect constitutional processes will determine its future relevance. That unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements. That a credible National Convention must be anchored on transparency, fairness, and respect for the rule of law as well as inclusivity.
“We call on the National Working Committee to urgently conduct fresh, transparent, and inclusive congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States, in line with judgments of the courts.
“That a fresh and legitimate South-East Zonal Congress should be conducted.
“That the outcome of the valid and legitimate South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State and recognised by the court be respected.
“That the Ekiti State Local Government Areas Congress should be conducted immediately, in obedience to the subsisting court judgement.
“That on zoning of party offices, whereas; we agree with the zoning committee’s recommendations, which was adopted by NEC that status quo remains, we further, and very strongly hold that there should be no form of micro-zoning for peace and stability within the party.
“Consequently, the National Chairman of the party should remain in the North-Central in line with the zoning formula of the 2021 convention.
“It is pertinent to caution that failure to comply with the above resolutions and demands shall render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.
“The PDP was built on the foundation of inclusivity, fairness, and justice. Therefore, to reclaim its pride of place as the leading opposition and the true alternative for Nigerians, the party must now rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility.
“We, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, remain steadfast in our loyalty to the party and resolute in our determination to work with all organs and leaders of the PDP to ensure that the forthcoming National Convention becomes a watershed moment — a moment where unity triumphs over division, and justice prevails over impunity.
“Only then can the PDP speak with one voice, act with one heart, and march with renewed strength toward victory.”
