‘We are not part of litigation’
State Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday dissociated themselves from the lawsuit currently before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to halt the proposed convention.
The Chairman of Edo State chapter and Co-ordinator of the Forum of PDP Chairmen, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, chided his colleagues – Austine Nwachukwu (Imo) and Amah Abraham Nnana (Abia) – for dragging the party to the court.
Aziegbemi said the Forum has decided to suspend the two chairmen and urged the NWC to take disciplinary action against those found to be directly or indirectly connected to the court case.
“We distance ourselves completely from the suit and the plan to use it to stop the PDP from holding its national convention. This is not right. We want to state clearly that we are solidly behind the Damagum-led NWC, and we will give our full support to ensure a hitch-free convention,’’ he said in a statement..
Aziegbemi, who also accused the All Progressives Congress(APC) of trying to turn the country into a one-party state, vowed that the forum would work with the national leadership to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
The statement reads in part: “The meeting deliberated extensively on issues affecting the unity and stability of the party, reviewed preparations for the forthcoming National Elective Convention slated for November 15–16, 2025, and assessed the state of the opposition across the federation.
“The Forum strongly condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its undemocratic, desperate, and systematic efforts to intimidate, harass, and coerce PDP leaders—including governors, senators, and members of the National and State Assemblies—into defecting.
“The Forum described these acts as an assault on democracy, warning that the ruling party’s conduct is a dangerous step toward establishing a de facto one-party state, which Nigerians must collectively resist.
“The Forum expressed grave concern over the activities of certain individuals within the PDP who, allegedly acting in concert with external interests linked to the APC, have been working to derail the party’s National Convention.
“Specifically, the Forum condemned the actions of Austine Nwachukwu (Imo State) and Amah Abraham Nnana (Abia State), who recently sought a court injunction to halt the convention. Their actions were unanimously described as a betrayal of the party’s unity and collective resolve.
“Consequently, the forum resolved to suspend both members from the body and appointed Dr Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo State PDP, as the new Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen Forum.
“The forum passed a vote of confidence on the National Working Committee (NWC), the PDP Governors’ Forum, and all statutory organs of the party. It reaffirmed its commitment to work harmoniously with these organs in rebuilding, revitalising, and repositioning the PDP as Nigeria’s credible alternative and leading political force.
“The forum called on all party members, supporters, and stakeholders across the country to remain calm, united, and steadfast.
It pledged continued cooperation with the party’s national leadership as it undertakes deliberate, strategic steps to strengthen the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections”.
‘Ondo PDP congress reflected unity’
No fewer than 25 of 36 state chairmen and the FCT attended the meeting.
They included Mohammed Bello Aliyu Goronyo (Sokoto), Yusuf Ado Kibiya (Kano), Mohammed Nura Amadi (Katsina), Ismaila Mohd Dogara (FCT), Victor Modupe Aisido (Ondo), Tony Aziegbemi (Edo), Abubakar Bawa (Taraba), Abayomi Tella Ogun), Sen Umar El-Gash (Yobe) and Zanna Gaddama Mustapha (Borno).
Others are Alhaji Adamu Bako (Nasarawa), Pharm Samaila Adam Burga (Bauchi), Ememona Anyebe (Kogi), Comrade Chidi Chidebe (Anambra), Aliyu Mohd Halidu (Niger), Ezekiel A Adaji (Benue), Isa Bawa Adamu (Kwara), Edward Percy Masha (Kaduna).
State chairmen who joined the meeting virtually were Babandi Ibrahim Gumel (Jigawa), Dr Jamilu Jabo (Zamfara), Hassan A Chris (Plateau), Usman Bello Suru (Kebbi),
Major Gen Amin Kwaskebe (Gombe) and Shehu Gash (Adamawa).
Ben Obi replaces Mbah as Convention Secretary
The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) replaced Mbah with Ben Obi as the secretary of the Convention Committee.
Before he defected to the APC, Mbah was the secretary of the Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri-led Convention Committee.
Obi, who represented Anambra Central in the Senate, was running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2007 presidential election on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
The National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement after the NWC meeting that the party will conduct a peaceful convention.
The statement reads: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), has approved the appointment of Senator Ben Ndi Obi as Secretary of the National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC) for the conduct of the 2025 PDP Elective National Convention scheduled to hold on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.”
“The NWC commends the NCOC under the Chairmanship of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State for its tireless efforts towards the success of the 2025 National Convention.
“The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of the PDP to remain united, steadfast and focused on the successful conduct of the National Convention and the overall progress of our great party”.
