The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has affirmed its readiness to proceed with its national convention slated for March 29 and 30, despite ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party.
Speaking at a pre-convention press briefing yesterday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, outlined a comprehensive schedule of activities leading up to the convention, while reiterating that internal reconciliation would not disrupt the process.
In the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stakeholders have urged the party to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, in a move to build a winning national coalition ahead of next year’s general elections, reports The Guardian.
PDP’s Mohammed said the Abuja briefing was aimed at acquainting Nigerians with preparations already in motion.
According to him, the timetable begins with the publication of the members of the various convention committees.
He disclosed that the National Convention Planning and Organising Committee had been constituted, alongside several subcommittees, including venue, security, entertainment, welfare, accreditation, media and publicity, protocol, accommodation and transport, electoral, zoning, screening, medical, monitoring, and secretariat.
“The names and membership of these committees and subcommittees will be made public tomorrow (March 19),” he said, adding that all committees would be inaugurated on Saturday, March 21, at 8.00p.m., and the venue would be announced subsequently.
This will be followed by a meeting of the Zoning Committee on Sunday, March 22, to allocate party positions across the geopolitical zones.
The party has also scheduled an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for Monday, March 23, by noon at the FCT Minister’s Lodge, Life Camp, Abuja. Immediately after the meeting, the sale of nomination forms will commence and run until March 25, closing at 3.00p.m.
Mohammed further disclosed that appeals arising from the screening of aspirants and related processes would be heard on Thursday, March 26, with proceedings expected to end by 7.00p.m.
As part of pre-convention activities, the party will host a cocktail on March 28 at the Minister’s Lodge. The event, he noted, will be strictly by invitation.
The national convention itself is scheduled to be held at the Velodrome Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Addressing concerns about internal disputes, Mohammed maintained that reconciliation efforts remain ongoing but would not impede the convention.
He, however, stressed that the party remains open to dialogue and efforts aimed at resolving lingering disagreements among stakeholders.
On compliance with electoral regulations, Mohammed stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been duly notified of the convention and had consistently monitored the party’s congresses at the ward, local council and state levels.
He added that the PDP had concluded its state congresses in line with a court judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, noting that the exercise was a prerequisite for holding the national convention.
According to him, the congress in Plateau State was concluded recently, while zonal congresses for the South-East and North-East regions are scheduled for Saturday.
With preparations in top gear, the party leadership expressed confidence that the convention would proceed as planned, marking a critical step in repositioning the PDP ahead of future political contests.
The ADC stakeholders’ call emerged from a strategy conference in Abuja, jointly convened by the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) and ADC stakeholders, with the theme ‘From Opposition to Government: Building the Winning Coalition for Nigeria 2027’.
Addressing participants, COPDEM’s National Chairman, Pam Rwang Jr, stressed that “while the recommendation is not yet an official party decision, it is likely to influence early alignments” within ADC.
The conference communiqué highlighted Nigeria’s challenges, including economic pressures, insecurity and waning public trust in leadership. It argued that a Southern ticket would help assemble a broad, credible and nationally accepted governing coalition.
“A successful presidential campaign must mobilise support across regions and reignite the political energy of key voting blocs, particularly in the Middle Belt and the South,” the statement reads.
Participants also stressed the need for the party’s message to resonate with shared values of fairness, unity, inclusion and justice across Nigeria, noting that electoral success historically depends on respecting informal regional power rotations.
