The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria's main opposition, is currently navigating a period of significant internal dissent and high stakes ahead of its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. A powerful group of influential party figures, referred to as 'eminent personalities' and led by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has issued a six-point demand to the National Working Committee (NWC), warning that failure to comply would render the convention invalid.

The demands were formalized following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at Wike's official Abuja residence, which concluded in the early hours of Tuesday. Notable attendees included former governors Dr. Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), along with National Secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu, National Vice-Chairman (South-South) Dan Orbih, and former Senator George Sekibo. The group emphasized the necessity of equity, fairness, and inclusivity for the PDP to maintain its credibility as a national alternative.

Key demands outlined in a communique read by Dr. Samuel Ortom include: the urgent conduct of fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states in strict compliance with court judgments; the immediate conduct of a new South East Zonal Congress; respect for the outcome of the South-South Congress in Calabar, which has been upheld by courts; the prompt conduct of Ekiti LGA congresses in line with judicial pronouncements; a prohibition on micro-zoning of offices beyond the general zoning formula adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) for peace and stability; and the retention of the national chairmanship position in the North Central, consistent with the zoning arrangement of the 2021 convention.

The 'Eminent Leaders and Stakeholders' reiterated that the PDP is at a 'defining crossroads' and that unity cannot be achieved through disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements. They stressed that only transparency and fairness would guarantee a credible convention and cautioned the PDP leadership that ignoring these resolutions could plunge the party into further crisis. They urged the party to rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility to reclaim its pride of place.

However, the party leadership, including National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and the Board of Trustees (BoT), has taken a firm stance, declaring the November 15-16 convention as