The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended its chairmen in Imo and Abia states over their alleged involvement in a court case aimed at stopping the party’s forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The party also announced Senator Ben Obi as the new Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), replacing Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier in the week with members of his cabinet.
The changes were confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, following a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Ologunagba said the appointment of Senator Obi was approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) to ensure a seamless and credible convention process. He also commended the NCOC, chaired by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, for its ongoing preparations ahead of the 2025 National Convention.
Party Moves to Contain Internal Rift
The PDP State Chairmen Forum has distanced itself from the court action, declaring total support for the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and the NWC.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Forum’s chairman and Edo State PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, announced the suspension of the Imo State Chairman, Austine Nwachukwu, and his Abia counterpart, Amah Abraham Nnana, over their alleged link to the litigation.
Aziegbemi stressed that the Forum remains committed to the unity and stability of the party and urged the NWC to sanction any member found complicit in the case.
“We have completely distanced ourselves from the suit and any plan to use it to stop the party from holding its national convention,” Aziegbemi said. “We want to state clearly that we are behind the Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum-led NWC, and we will give our full support to ensure a hitch-free convention. The evil plot of the APC to turn Nigeria into a one-party state will never succeed.”
The PDP’s national convention in Ibadan will elect new national officers to lead the party into the 2027 general elections, a critical step as the opposition seeks to rebuild and reposition itself after years of internal divisions and defections.
