Dare Babalola
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed the screening of aspirants for its 2025 Elective National Convention, initially scheduled for October 28, 2025, “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
In a statement signed by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) on Monday, a new date for the screening exercise will be communicated soon.
“The National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC) of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has put on hold the screening of aspirants for the 2025 Elective National Convention, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025 due to unforeseen circumstances,” the statement read.
The NCOC expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the postponement and reaffirmed its commitment to hosting a credible and hitch-free national convention on November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The opposition PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, is expected to elect a new national chairperson at the convention.
During its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on 25 August at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, the PDP resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while retaining the position of national chairman for the North.
Umar Damagum, who is the national chaired of the party, is from Yobe State, North-east Nigeria.
The PDP’s zoning decision has garnered support from party members and leaders, although some argue the presidential ticket should be open to all regions.
This disagreement prompted FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s loyalists to seek a court injunction to halt the convention, but the Federal High Court in Abuja refused the request on October 9, allowing the party to proceed with its NEC meeting and national convention.
Within the North, where the chairmanship position is reserved, disagreements persist among aspirants.
Northern PDP stakeholders had earlier endorsed Kabiru Turaki, a former minister from Kebbi State, North-west, as their consensus candidate.
However, Sule Lamido, a former Jigawa State Governor, has declared his intention to contest the seat, challenging the consensus candidate.
