The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially rejected the report of a reconciliation committee tasked with resolving internal disputes, insisting that the party’s national convention begins as scheduled.
The reconciliation committee, chaired by Ambassador Hassan Adamu and inaugurated on November 5, 2025, had recommended the formation of an all-inclusive caretaker committee to settle ongoing conflicts within the party.
The committee argued that proceeding with a convention not accepted by all members could compromise the party’s ability to field candidates nationwide.
Some party members aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had raised concerns about unresolved issues, including the conduct of congresses, which contributed to factionalism within the party.
Currently, two factions exist: one led by Ambassador Umar Damagum, which insists on holding the convention, and another led by Abdulrahman Muhammed, which has attempted to cancel it following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja.
The reconciliation committee also highlighted legal uncertainties, noting that multiple court orders could prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring the convention.
It recommended lifting suspension orders and bringing all parties together for genuine reconciliation.
However, in a statement signed by PDP BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara on Friday, the BoT rejected the committee’s report, saying it does not reflect the board’s official position.
The BoT reaffirmed its support for the elective national convention scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect new party leadership for the next four years.
The statement emphasized that the idea of a caretaker committee was rejected and stressed that the convention is a matter of the party’s internal affairs, over which the courts have no jurisdiction.
Party members were urged to remain focused on ensuring a successful convention.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan adjourned ruling on a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction in a suit filed by PDP member Folahan Adelabi over the national convention.
INEC’s counsel argued that as a federal agency, the commission falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, while the claimant’s counsel contended that this infringed on constitutional rights to lawful assembly.
After hearing both arguments, Justice Ladiran Akintola adjourned the ruling to December 8, 2025, while reaffirming that an interim order preventing interference with the convention remains in force.
Defendants in the case include the PDP, its acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (chair of the PDP Convention Organising Committee), and INEC.
