IBADAN, Nigeria (FN)— The Peoples Democratic Party gathered in Ibadan on Saturday, November 15, 2025, for a convention that party leaders described as a pivotal moment ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections.
Delegates from across the country filled the Lekan Salami Stadium, where speeches emphasized unity and the need to strengthen grassroots mobilization.
The convention opened with a call to order by the party chairman, who urged members to put aside internal divisions and focus on winning back national power.
Several governors and prominent figures attended, signaling the importance of the gathering for the party’s future strategy.
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo told reporters, “The PDP has restored its glory. What you are seeing here today in Ibadan is not just a convention—it is the rebirth of a winning party.”
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, host of the convention, declared, “Ibadan is once again the heartbeat of Nigerian politics, and we are ready to lead from here.”
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, added, “This convention shows our collective resolve to present a united front for 2027.”
The PDP convention in Ibadan carries historical weight as it echoes the party’s landmark 1998 Jos convention, which first established the Peoples Democratic Party as a dominant force in Nigeria’s democracy. As the country’s oldest political party, the PDP held power for 16 years before losing the presidency in 2015, a defeat that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape and continues to influence its internal debates today. Thousands of delegates converged on the stadium for the two‑day national convention, tagged #Ibadan2025, to elect a new National Working Committee and chart a path toward the 2027 general elections.
Security was tight around the venue, with police and civil defense officers stationed at key points to manage the large crowd.
Speakers highlighted economic challenges facing Nigerians, pledging that the PDP would present policies aimed at tackling inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.
Youth and women’s groups were given prominent roles, reflecting the party’s effort to broaden participation and appeal to new voters.
The convention also featured debates over internal reforms, including candidate selection processes and funding transparency.
Observers noted that the event was as much about optics as policy, with the PDP seeking to project stability after years of factional disputes.
Some factions, however, stayed away or voiced opposition. The Kebbi State chapter boycotted the gathering over disagreements with the choice of national chairman, while allies of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike questioned the legitimacy of the exercise. Conflicting court orders added further uncertainty, underscoring the challenges the party faces in reconciling its internal divisions.
By evening, resolutions were adopted calling for reconciliation among party members and a renewed push to reclaim leadership at both state and federal levels.
