The host governor of the 2025 Peoples Democratic Party National Convention, Governor Seyi Makinde, has expressed optimism that the outcome of the gathering will significantly improve the party’s national prospects.
Makinde gave the assurance on Saturday in his welcome address at the ongoing convention holding at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
The governor noted that the PDP had sacrificed immensely to ensure the success of the convention and urged delegates to remain united and peaceful throughout the exercise. He also commended the Convention Organising Committee chaired by Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, who received the convention flag earlier in the day.
Declaring the convention open, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Iliya Damagum, thanked Makinde for his support and encouraged delegates to sustain their loyalty to the party. He expressed confidence that the convention would further consolidate the PDP’s internal cohesion.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, praised delegates for their resilience and commitment, assuring them that the party “will not perish but will continue to progress.” He called for sustained cooperation among party executives and members to strengthen the organisation.
Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi North also addressed the gathering, stressing that the PDP’s mission remains tied to safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic future. He urged supporters of democracy not to relent in their efforts to protect national stability.
Party leaders also received their respective flags during the convention. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who doubles as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, received the Nigerian flag. Makinde received the Oyo State flag, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro received the Senate flag, while Fred Agbedi received the House of Representatives flag.
The convention began with the accreditation of more than 3,000 delegates.
Meanwhile, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, has reacted to the expulsion of his principal, Nyesom Wike, alongside former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, describing the development as “Dirty December in November coming early in Ibadan.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Olayinka said PDP members had travelled to Ibadan to begin festivities ahead of December, adding that comments emanating from the gathering should be viewed within the context of a social outing.
“They went to Ibadan to start their own Dirty December in November. When people decide to start their Dirty December early, one can’t help but ignore whatever comes out of their mouths,” he said, insisting the meeting was nothing more than a social party where attendees, after drinking, were “free to say anything.”
Earlier reports indicated that the PDP convention in Ibadan ratified the expulsion of Wike, the factional National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and former Governor Fayose over alleged anti-party activities. The motion for their removal was moved by PDP founding member Chief Bode George and seconded by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, receiving unanimous support from delegates.
This followed a series of court orders attempting to stop the Ibadan convention, including one issued on Friday. Several party leaders, including former presiding officers of the National Assembly, had urged the Damagum-led leadership to obey the court directives to avoid actions capable of further destabilising the party.
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