PDP Releases Timetable for 2025 Elective National Convention as SDP Battles INEC Over Candidate Recognition

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially set the dates for its 2025 elective national convention, signaling a critical phase in its political calendar as it prepares for internal leadership transitions and broader national influence ahead of the 2027 general elections. The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party announced that the convention will take place on November 15 and 16, 2025, in a timetable released and signed by the PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on Sunday in Abuja.

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PDP Begins Leadership Transition Process

According to the schedule, the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms will begin on September 3 and close on September 22. Aspirants are expected to return their completed forms by September 26. The screening of all aspirants is set for September 30, followed by the publication of cleared aspirants on October 3. Appeals from disqualified aspirants will be addressed on October 6.

By October 10, the final list of approved candidates vying for positions within the party’s national leadership will be published. The handover process from outgoing executives is scheduled to take place between December 1 and December 8, culminating the leadership transition.

The 2025 convention is considered pivotal for the PDP as it attempts to rebuild its internal structures, foster unity, and reassert its relevance as the country’s main opposition party. With the 2027 presidential election on the horizon, the convention will not only produce new party leaders but also likely determine the strategic direction of the party in coming years.

SDP Sues INEC Over Candidate Disqualification

While the PDP prepares for internal reforms, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is embroiled in legal combat with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the commission’s reported refusal to recognise SDP candidates for upcoming by-elections in twelve states.

In a strongly worded statement, SDP National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba condemned the action as an unlawful intrusion into the party’s internal affairs. “The SDP is already challenging INEC’s decision in court. We trust the judiciary to compel the Commission to admit the SDP’s candidates, as they were validly nominated in accordance with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC regulations,” Aiyenigba stated.

He further argued that INEC’s action affects not only SDP candidates but also those of the Labour Party, and contradicts a Supreme Court ruling that affirms the constitutional autonomy of political parties in choosing their candidates. “The Commission has no constitutional authority to determine the candidates of political parties or dictate the nomination process,” Aiyenigba said.

SDP Faces Leadership Turmoil

The SDP’s troubles don’t end with INEC. The party has been engulfed in an internal leadership crisis, exacerbated by a factional takeover that occurred on July 25, 2025. During an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja—attended by 23 state chairmen and the Federal Capital Territory—a new National Working Committee led by Adamu Modibo emerged. Modibo was named Acting National Chairman, replacing the embattled Dr. Shehu Gabam.

Promising to restore order, Modibo pledged the formation of a Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committee to heal internal divisions. “We are drawing a line. A new disciplinary and reconciliation committee will be formed to unify the party and address misconduct,” he declared.

However, the move has been challenged by another faction led by Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, who described the NEC meeting as unconstitutional. The party’s National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, an ally of Abubakar, dismissed the meeting as “illegal and irregular,” cautioning state chairmen against endorsing decisions that contravene the party’s constitution.

Expulsions Deepen Crisis

In a dramatic twist, the party last week announced the 30-year expulsion of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, citing his false claim of party membership while openly promoting another party in Kaduna State. The expulsion follows a wave of disciplinary actions initiated by the Gabam-led NWC, which had earlier suspended Gabam himself, alongside National Auditor Nze Nnadi Clarkson and National Youth Leader Uchechukwu Chukwuma, for alleged financial misconduct and unauthorized transactions on June 24, 2025.

The overlapping suspensions, expulsions, and factional takeovers paint a picture of a party in disarray, even as it fights externally to have its candidates recognised for upcoming elections.

PDP Steadies, SDP Struggles

While the PDP moves steadily toward its national convention with a structured timetable and internal order, the SDP battles multiple fronts—a legal war with INEC and a deeply fractured leadership. For Nigeria’s opposition space, the contrast between PDP’s calculated reorganization and the SDP’s turbulence underscores the challenges smaller parties face in asserting relevance, especially in a complex pre-election environment.

As November draws near, all eyes will be on the PDP to see whether its convention can restore confidence among its members and position the party as a formidable challenger in 2027. Simultaneously, the judiciary’s decision in the SDP vs. INEC case may set important precedents on the limits of electoral commission powers and the autonomy of political parties in Nigeria.