The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other aggrieved stakeholders against moves that could jeopardize the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, slated for November 15, 2025.
Rising from its 7th meeting held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Gusau, Zamfara State, the Forum reiterated its full backing for the decisions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 2025, which set the direction for the convention.
“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.
Chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the meeting deliberated on insecurity, threats to democratic values, and the party’s preparations for the convention. The governors praised PDP members for staying resilient despite orchestrated defections, insisting that such distractions would not diminish the party’s grassroots strength or the public’s yearning for affordable living and stability under PDP-led governments.
They further pledged to “rescue the country,” accusing the ruling APC of promoting divisive policies and worsening the hardship facing Nigerians.
The warning comes amid rising tension sparked by Wike’s criticisms of the PDP leadership. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on August 19, 2025, the former Rivers governor rejected the legitimacy of the South-South Caretaker Committee formed by the National Working Committee (NWC) and faulted the continued recognition of Ali Odefa as National Vice Chairman (South-East).
“Well, it is over for now. A few things are remaining, and I have told them that they must do it. Our congress was held in Calabar, and there’s nothing anybody can tell us. If they want to have another round of crisis, so be it. In that congress, Chief Dan Orbih emerged as the National Vice Chairman. They never wanted the congress to be held, but congress was held,” Wike declared.
He added, “The so-called acting national chairman of the party wrote a letter to INEC after congress was held that the congress has been postponed. There is no two ways about it. The National Vice Chairman of PDP South-South is Chief Dan Orbih. If they don’t agree, that’s another round of crisis.”
Wike has also dismissed the zoning committee headed by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa and is now estranged from his former ally, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, with many party members accusing him of anti-party conduct—a charge he continues to deny.
