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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be clawing back from the brink of escalating internal tension after its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Wednesday rose from an emergency meeting in Abuja with a firm declaration that the party remains united, focused, and committed to its founding democratic values, despite recent altercations and internal turbulence.

Addressing journalists after the session held on November 5, 2025, BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, released a strong-worded communiqué reaffirming confidence in the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) and commending the PDP Governors Forum, the National Convention Organizing Committee, and other organs of the party for their stabilising roles as the party marches toward its crucial elective National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Street Reporters Newspaper reports that he said the BoT’s decision reflects a strategic intervention aimed not only at calming nerves, but at preventing needless factionalisation and the possibility of legal landmines derailing the convention.

AKINTOLA RULING HAILED AS ‘VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY’

The PDP BoT also expressed satisfaction with the ruling of the Oyo State High Court presided over by Justice A.L. Akintola which affirmed the constitutional powers of the party to conduct its internal affairs — including the scheduled national convention.

According to the BoT, the judgment is “a victory for democracy, rule of law, and political development in Nigeria.”

Observers note that Justice Akintola’s ruling has effectively cleared a judicial fog that was beginning to build over the convention date — especially following an earlier ruling by Justice Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although both courts are of coordinate jurisdiction, Justice Akintola assumed jurisdiction since both the plaintiff and the venue of the convention were located within Ibadan.

Legal analysts emphasize that while Justice Omotosho advised reconciliation, he did not stop the PDP convention. On the other hand, Justice Akintola issued a consequential order because the plaintiff before him had locus standi — having bought nomination forms to contest the Deputy National Organizing Secretary position.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is also expected to align with the Akintola position in line with the Supreme Court’s longstanding principle affirming party supremacy in managing internal affairs.

CONCERN OVER INVASION, PUBLIC ALTERCATIONS

However, the BoT did not mince words in expressing deep concerns over recent disturbing spectacles — including public altercations and the invasion of the PDP National Secretariat — describing such disgraceful incidents as alien to the PDP’s DNA.

As Wabara put it: the BoT is the “conscience and moral compass” of the party and must remain neutral, insisting that reconciliation “is not weakness but a demonstration of maturity and responsibility.”

HIGH-POWERED RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE SET UP

To that end, the BoT announced the constitution of a high-powered reconciliation committee chaired by Ambassador Hassan Adamu (Wakilin Adamawa) with Chief Mike Oghiadomhe as Secretary.

The committee has been tasked to immediately engage all aggrieved blocs and submit its report by November 11 — four days before delegates converge on Ibadan.

Political watchers have already commended the BoT’s intervention as timely and strategic — especially at a delicate moment when parties are expected to be consolidating rather than fighting ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

SLOW-MOVING COURT PROCESSES MAY STILL SHADOW CONVENTION

Meanwhile, legal filings are still in play. An interlocutory application coming up for hearing on November 10 may affect timelines. If granted, the existing ex parte order — which lasts for 14 days — could be extended pending determination of the substantive suit. However, judicial precedence frowns at adjudicating on matters already concluded — meaning that once the convention is held, courts are unlikely to reverse it.

PDP MOVES FROM CRISIS TOWARD STABILITY

Despite the turbulence of the past week, analysts say the PDP seems to have steadied its ship — at least for now — owing mainly to the BoT’s refusal to take sides and its push to restore calm.

The final word from the trustees’ conclave was unmistakable — unity must be preserved, the convention must stand, and the PDP must present itself as a party ready for power, not a movement consumed by factional bitterness.

For a party long haunted by internal ruptures, Wednesday’s resolution may prove to be the crucial reset it desperately needed as it navigates the final stretch to its November 15–16 convention in Ibadan.

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