The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has reaffirmed that the party will proceed to Ibadan for its scheduled elective convention despite growing internal tensions.
Fintiri made the declaration on Thursday night while speaking to journalists shortly after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
The gathering brought together prominent party figures, including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba; and former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki.
Speaking immediately after the meeting, Fintiri stated unequivocally that preparations for the convention were moving forward. “We’ve just come out of our critical stakeholders’ meeting where a lot of elaborate decisions were taken,” he said. “I want to tell you here that we are going to Ibadan for our convention, and the convention is sacrosanct.”
His comments come amid calls from other senior party leaders, including Dr Bukola Saraki, for the PDP to suspend the convention due to escalating legal and political disputes surrounding its organisation. However, Fintiri’s remarks signal that the faction in charge of preparations remains committed to carrying out the event as scheduled.
Attempts by journalists to obtain further clarification from Fintiri on the party’s internal divisions were unsuccessful, as his security aides promptly escorted him away following his brief interaction with the press.
The contrasting positions among top PDP leaders highlight the deepening tensions over the convention, which many members see as crucial to the party’s future direction. Whether the party ultimately proceeds with the Ibadan gathering or opts for a last-minute compromise remains to be seen.
