…Sets Up Reconciliation Panel Ahead of Convention
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday reaffirmed Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as its National Chairman, following an emergency meeting of its Board of Trustees (BoT) held in Abuja.
In a communiqué issued at the close of the meeting, the BoT declared: “BoT reaffirms that the PDP remains a united, formidable and focused political party under the leadership of the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC).”
The statement commended the National Working Committee, the PDP Governors’ Forum, the National Convention Organising Committee, and other party organs for their roles in stabilising the party ahead of its upcoming Elective National Convention scheduled for 15–16 November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The BoT also welcomed a recent judgment by an Oyo State High Court, presided over by Justice A. L. Akintola, which affirmed the PDP’s constitutional right to manage its internal affairs and to proceed with the November convention.
“This landmark ruling is victory to democracy, rule of law and political development in our country,” the communique stated.
Despite the vote of confidence, the BoT expressed concern over recent internal tensions. It referred to misunderstandings that have spilled into the public domain — including what it described as “the invasion of our National Secretariat.”
The body said it “cannot and will not take sides but remain focused on safeguarding the integrity of the PDP and ensuring dialogue over discord.”
It further emphasised that reconciliation is not a sign of weakness but “a demonstration of maturity and responsibility.”
To address the disputes ahead of the convention, the BoT established a six-member Reconciliation Committee. Its mandate is to reconcile all conflicting sides and restore unity within the party.
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- The committee members are:
- Amb. Hassan Adamu (North East) – Chairman
- Chief Mike Oghiadomhe (South South) – Secretary
- Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (South East)
- Sen. Zaynab Kure (North Central)
- Prince Onyinlola Olagunsoye (South West)
- Dr. Lubna Mohammed Gusau (North West)
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The committee is mandated to report back to the BoT on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 for further action.
The reaffirmation of Damagum comes amid factional strife within the PDP. A rival faction had suspended principal officers of the National Working Committee, including the national secretary, in what has been described as a leadership crisis.
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