PDP Governors, Stakeholders Meet in Abuja to Tackle Lingering Party Crisis Ahead of NEC Convention

In a strategic effort to salvage its political unity and prepare for upcoming national challenges, top leaders and governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) converged on Sunday at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja for a high-level stakeholders’ meeting. The gathering was aimed at tackling internal discord and devising strategies ahead of the party’s critical National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27.

The meeting was convened by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, in his capacity as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, and it brought together an impressive array of the party’s leading figures. Attendees included six serving governors, former governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and key players from the Board of Trustees (BoT), signaling the urgency and seriousness of the party’s current internal challenges.

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PDP Governors Rally to Rescue Party from Crisis

Among the serving governors present at the meeting were Governor Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara). Their collective presence underscored a growing resolve among PDP’s sitting executives to reposition the party and restore public confidence amid ongoing internal rifts and a spate of defections.

Other notable attendees included Umar Damagum, the party’s Acting National Chairman, and former governors such as Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun). Also present were political heavyweights like former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former governors Babangida Muazu (Niger), Adamu Muazu (Bauchi), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).

According to sources within the party, the Sunday meeting builds upon decisions reached during an earlier consultative forum hosted in Ibadan, Oyo State. The goal remains the same—unifying the party’s fractured leadership, reaffirming its national outlook, and preparing for both internal reforms and external electoral battles.

 National Secretary Role, NEC Meeting, and Defections

One of the central topics discussed during the Abuja session was the controversial issue surrounding the party’s National Secretary position, which has been a flashpoint in recent months due to factional disputes and competing regional interests. There are growing calls within the PDP to restructure and resolve leadership ambiguities before the National Elective Convention, which remains a focal point of the party’s reform efforts.

Additionally, the meeting served as a platform to align views ahead of the upcoming NEC meeting scheduled for May 27, a session that could potentially reshape the party’s trajectory depending on the decisions made. Insiders note that the NEC meeting will likely address constitutional matters, party realignment strategies, and broader policy initiatives moving forward.

Another issue that dominated discussions was the wave of defections currently hitting the PDP, especially in the North and South-South zones. With several prominent members switching allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or other emerging political platforms, PDP leaders are under increasing pressure to present a unified, credible alternative ahead of future national and state elections.

“There is a strong recognition that the party cannot afford continued fragmentation, especially as Nigerians begin to evaluate their options ahead of future elections,” a source familiar with the meeting told reporters.

Bala Mohammed Leads Unification Charge Amid High Stakes

Governor Bala Mohammed, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the need for “internal discipline, reconciliation, and structural cohesion” within the PDP. According to party sources, Mohammed called for the creation of a robust conflict resolution mechanism that would not only address existing grievances but also prevent future crises.

As Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Mohammed has positioned himself as a central unifying figure within the opposition party. His convening of Sunday’s meeting was widely seen as an attempt to bridge the gaps between the party’s old and new guard, as well as align regional interests toward a common national objective.

Attendees also acknowledged the necessity of rebuilding the PDP’s public image, reinforcing grassroots structures, and realigning its messaging to better reflect the socio-economic concerns of Nigerians. The consensus at the meeting appeared to be that the PDP must reclaim its role as a national opposition force with clear, actionable policy proposals.

While Sunday’s gathering marked a critical step toward party reconciliation, political analysts remain cautious. With factionalism deeply rooted in state-level politics and leadership ambitions simmering beneath the surface, there is no guarantee that the unity displayed in Abuja will translate into long-term peace.

However, the participation of such a wide range of influential figures suggests that the party’s top brass is finally acknowledging the urgency of the situation. With less than three weeks to go before the NEC meeting, time is of the essence for the PDP to not only present a stable internal front but also demonstrate it can mount a serious challenge against the APC’s dominance.

For the PDP, this Abuja meeting may either be remembered as the turning point where the party reclaimed its footing—or as yet another missed opportunity in the ongoing saga of Nigeria’s opposition politics.