PDP governors warn against anti-party forces, reaffirm commitment to convention
Story by Jessica Mbamah
Governors elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday converged on Gusau, the Zamfara State capital for a two-day meeting to strategise ahead of Monday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) session of the party.
Their meeting, coming barely a day after PDP leaders in the South, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, met in Lagos, is believed to have been called to fine-tune their position ahead of Monday’s NEC gathering, particularly in the light of the fresh crisis threatening the party’s planned November 15-16 elective national convention.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Gusau meeting, the Forum’s 7th strategic session, was hosted by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, and chaired by the Bauchi State Governor and Forum Chairman, Bala Mohammed.
Present were Governors Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba). Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) were notably absent, with no official reasons provided for their non-participation.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors warned against “anti-party forces” working to derail the party’s convention, stressing that the resolutions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) held in July remain binding.
“The Forum reaffirms its full commitment to the resolutions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 2025 regarding the November 15 National Convention.
It urges members to resist all attempts to derail the convention by anti-party forces; but to see the PDP as the only democratic institution and viable alternative for restoring Nigeria along the path of good governance and national development,” the communiqué read in part.
The statement came just days after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reignited internal tensions, warning of “a fresh crisis” if the PDP leadership refused to recognize his ally, Dan Orbih, as National Vice Chairman, South-South.
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Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Wike dismissed the legitimacy of the party’s South-South Caretaker Committee and accused the National Working Committee (NWC) of undermining his faction.
“Our congress was held in Calabar, and Chief Dan Orbih emerged as National Vice Chairman. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis,” Wike said, describing the NWC’s handling of the matter as “a recipe for chaos.”
Wike has also rejected the zoning committee led by Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, insisting the panel was manipulated. His fallout with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, once his closest ally in the G5 bloc — has further widened his isolation within the PDP.
Sources say many PDP leaders now view Wike’s position in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as evidence of anti-party activities, a charge he has consistently denied.
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Despite the rumblings, the Gusau meeting reviewed preparations for the November convention, with discussions revolving around reports from the National Zoning Committee, the Constitution Review Committee, and the NEC.
The governors also considered a memo from the PDP caucus in the National Assembly, focusing on legislative coordination and party discipline.
Beyond party affairs, the meeting touched on pressing national issues, particularly insecurity, economic hardship, and what they described as the “erosion of democratic values” under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. The governors accused the ruling party of divisive governance and worsening the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
The PDP governors further deliberated on the recently concluded bye-elections, expressing concerns about the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and stressing the need for credible polls to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
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A source privy to the closed-door discussions told News Point Nigeria that the Gusau gathering also covered reconciliation efforts, funding strategies, and grassroots mobilization ahead of the convention.
“The governors are determined to hold the November 15 convention as planned. The idea is to present the PDP as a united and credible alternative, regardless of distractions. The convention will be a turning point,” the source said.
The resolutions of the Gusau meeting are expected to be formally communicated to the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) in the coming days.
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