The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention, tagged “Ibadan 2025”, commenced on Saturday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, with host Governor Seyi Makinde declaring the event would usher in a massive turnaround for the party nationwide.
In his welcome address, Makinde, who is the host of the convention, hailed the delegates and members as resilient, acknowledging the “long stretch of battle” the party had fought to hold the gathering.
He expressed confidence that the convention would become a historic event that signals the revitalisation of the PDP’s national fortunes.
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The governor urged delegates to enjoy the local culture of Ibadan, recommending the city’s famed local cuisine, amala and gbegiri, amidst their political deliberations.
Speaking as the Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri called on the PDP to use the event to reinvent itself and answer the Nigerian public’s call for rescue.
Fintiri stated that the country has reset back to the pre-PDP era and is looking to the party to pull it out of its current quagmire.
He admitted the party has suffered from “fractured commitment, minimal party loyalty, and disoriented focus,” which left it disunited and in disarray.
However, he maintained that the party’s core soul is still intact.
Fintiri used the platform to appeal to all members who have left the party to return back home.
Other key leaders and caucuses echoed the sentiment of resilience and unity.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, stated the governors arrived as a “united front to take this party forward” and appealed for maximum support to save the future of Nigeria.
Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), said the realisation of the Ibadan Convention was a testament to the party’s resilience and commitment to a better Nigeria, vowing that the party will not die.
He charged the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to embrace inclusiveness, deepen consultations, and lead with unity, courage, and discipline.
Senator Abdul Ningi, PDP Senator Caucus declared, “We have come, we have seen and we have conquered,” emphasising that the large turnout proves the PDP is the people’s party and cannot be killed.
The convention, which aims to elect a new set of national officers to lead the party for the next four years, was unanimously viewed by all caucuses as a necessary step for repositioning the PDP to accomplish its national objectives.
