Ahead of its national convention, Nigeria's main opposition political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is grappling with significant internal demands from a powerful bloc of its most influential figures, dubbed 'eminent personalities.' Led by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike, this group issued a six-point demand to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, stressing the necessity of equity, fairness, and inclusivity for the PDP to remain a credible alternative for Nigerians.

The high-stakes meeting, which concluded in the early hours of Tuesday at Wike's Abuja residence, saw the participation of prominent individuals including former Benue State Governor Dr. Samuel Ortom, ex-Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and his Enugu counterpart Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Also present were National Vice-Chairman (South-South) Dan Orbih, former Senator George Sekibo, and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu. The group's communique, read by Dr. Samuel Ortom, warned that failure to meet their conditions would “render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”

The PDP heavyweights laid out precise demands: firstly, fresh congresses must be held in Ebonyi and Anambra states, strictly adhering to subsisting court judgments. Secondly, a new South East Zonal Congress must be urgently conducted. Thirdly, the outcome of the South-South Congress in Calabar, already upheld by the courts, must be respected. Fourthly, the PDP should immediately conduct the Ekiti LGA congresses, in line with judicial pronouncements. Fifthly, there should be no micro-zoning of offices beyond the general zoning formula already adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) to maintain peace and stability. Finally, they insisted that the national chairmanship position must remain in the North Central, consistent with the zoning arrangement of the 2021 convention.

The leaders emphasized that the PDP stands at a “defining crossroads,” asserting that unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements. They cautioned the PDP leadership that ignoring these resolutions could plunge the party into further crisis, reiterating that only transparency and fairness would guarantee a credible convention and enable the party to reclaim its pride of place as Nigeria’s true opposition.

Despite these demands, the PDP on Tuesday declared that its National Elective Convention, scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, remains “sacrosanct.” During the inauguration of the planning committee, National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Board of Trustees (BoT) Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi, all adopted a firm stance. While not explicitly naming Wike, they warned that no member, regardless of their position, could hold the party hostage any longer.

Ambassador Damagum stated that he had steered the party with