By Suleiman Audu.
Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are convening today in Ibadan, Oyo State, to deliberate on the National Secretary and the National Executive Committee of the party.
An insider, speaking to Sunday PUNCH on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the governors will also tackle pressing issues, including the state of emergency in Rivers State, as well as broader matters affecting both the country and the party.
This meeting comes three weeks after the Supreme Court reinstated Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, overturning the preferred choice of the governors, Sunday Ude-Okoye. The apex court’s ruling, delivered on March 21, nullified a previous decision by the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed Anyanwu’s removal.
The judgment has left the PDP leadership in disarray, with both Anyanwu and Ude-Okoye claiming victory and issuing separate statements following the verdict. Additionally, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been postponed multiple times, causing friction between the PDP governors, the National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
The PDP has been struggling with internal conflicts before and after the 2023 elections, leading to increasing instability and division within the party. However, in a bid to reposition the party, the PDP governors are meeting today.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba confirmed that the PDP Governors Forum meeting is scheduled to take place in Ibadan from Sunday to Monday, April 14, 2025.
The insider indicated that the governors are expected to take a firm stance on the Supreme Court ruling regarding the National Secretary and discuss the upcoming NEC meeting. The agenda also includes addressing the leadership crisis in the South-South region, the state of emergency in Rivers State, and other critical party matters.
“This meeting is crucial. The governors are expected to engage in frank discussions, tackle pressing issues, and take proactive steps to preserve the PDP,” the source stated. “Their resolutions will play a significant role in preventing defections and shaping the future of the party.”
In a related development, former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki, along with PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, have united with other party leaders to avert a potential collapse of the PDP due to ongoing internal strife.
A credible source informed Sunday PUNCH that these leaders convened in Abuja last week to outline strategies for revitalizing the party and preventing member defections.
The source noted that the meeting included significant figures such as PDP BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Waziri. They emphasized the importance of engaging with dissatisfied party members to secure their support and restructuring the party’s leadership in the upcoming national convention.
In an exclusive interview, Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, expressed optimism about resolving the ongoing crisis, citing the caliber of leaders involved in the discussions. He stated, “With these leaders and the collective efforts of others, the party will make significant progress.”
Diran Odeyemi, the immediate past Deputy National Publicity Secretary, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for unity within the party to achieve success in the 2027 elections.
“The collective interest should be to win elections and maintain majority control. Peace and unity are essential,” he remarked. “If all leaders recognize this, it’s a positive sign for the PDP’s future.”
