The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing for a high-level meeting between its National Working Committee (NWC) and the PDP Governors Forum on May 11, as the opposition party grapples with a growing wave of defections and internal leadership disputes.
According to a senior party official who spoke under anonymity due to lack of authorization, the closed-door meeting will focus on halting further defections, resolving the controversy surrounding the National Secretary position, and implementing legal measures against defectors.
Legal Action Against Defectors Underway.
In a decisive move, the NWC has directed its National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, to initiate legal proceedings aimed at reclaiming political mandates lost due to defections, particularly in Delta State. The party’s legal action is targeting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other elected officials who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Recall that on April 23, Governor Oborevwori, alongside Okowa — the PDP’s 2023 vice presidential candidate — and several other PDP stakeholders from Delta State, officially joined the ruling APC in a move that shocked party leadership.
Party Leadership Reacts to Crisis.
Speaking after the party’s 600th NWC meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum reaffirmed the unity within the PDP’s leadership and warned defectors not to use internal disagreements as justification for abandoning the party.
“We want to make it clear that the PDP is not divided,” Damagum said. “Any excuse for defection is unfounded. The party remains strong, united, and committed to reclaiming any stolen mandates through legal means.
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He added that the NWC was unanimous in its decision to pursue legal redress, citing the Electoral Act, which mandates that any elected official who defects must vacate their position.
Delta Crisis and Secretary Dispute on the Agenda.
The crisis in Delta PDP is expected to dominate discussions at the upcoming May 11 meeting. A Caretaker Committee has been established under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Ogidi to restructure the party in the state and restore its political footing.
The meeting will also address the ongoing dispute over the National Secretary position. While PDP governors have recommended Setonji Koshoedo, a Supreme Court ruling appears to favor Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Damagum confirmed that while the governors’ recommendations were adopted, the matter remains complex and will be further discussed.
NEC Meeting and National Convention Planned.
In a bid to restore order, the NWC has agreed to forward all governors’ recommendations to the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its scheduled meeting on May 27. The NEC will deliberate on the proposal to conduct a National Elective Convention in late August to elect a new crop of party executives.
“We’re looking at August 28th to 30th for the convention,” said Damagum, emphasizing that final approval rests with NEC.
Atiku Refutes Defection Claims.
In a related development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed recent claims made by Ifeanyi Okowa that he is planning to exit the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Speaking on Arise News, Okowa suggested that Atiku’s silence and recent political engagements were signs of an imminent defection. However, Atiku, who led the PDP’s presidential ticket in 2023, categorically denied these claims.
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Okowa Expresses Regret Over 2023 Decision.
During the interview, Okowa admitted he now regrets accepting the role of Atiku’s running mate in the last election, noting that many in the South felt alienated by the decision to field a northern candidate.
“In retrospect, I should have gone with the will of my people,” Okowa stated, adding that despite this, the victory of Oborevwori in Delta reflects ongoing confidence in his leadership.
Okowa also disclosed that he informed Atiku of the PDP stakeholders’ meeting before defecting, suggesting the party’s internal environment had become “uncomfortable.”
