PDP convention: Saraki, Lamido, Ikpeazu, Kure, others, seek return to peace, as party holds convention

…They say Convention must not end as an event

Party stakeholders on Sunday appealed to newly elected leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to evolve inclusive leadership, build unity and restore the party’s integrity .

Bukola Saraki, Zainab Kure, Mao Ohuanbuwa, Abba Moro, Sule Lamido, amongst others who graced the party’s national convention in Abuja, amongst others, regretted that since the 2021 elective convention, the party had struggle to maintain internal democracy, leading to division, acrimonies and divisions, amongst its members.

The Sunday convention was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, represented two National Commissioners , Sani Adams and Ken Ukeagu.

The event was also witnessed by the Joan Arabs, INEC Director in charge of EPM, Rakiya Nauzo, Director Legal Service, and Nkechi Abuh, Director Drafting and Clearance.

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Others are; Mustapha Abubakar, Deputy Director Party Legal and Liaison, Mas’ud Hassan, Rakiya Dattijo, Umar Hassan and Babangida Shanu

Okezie Ikpeazu, former Governor of Abia state and Chairman of the convention committee, innhis opening remarks, noted that ” The last time our party assembled in a national convention to elect members of the National Working Committee was in October 2021, at the Eagle Square here in Abuja.

“Since that moment, our great party has traversed a challenging, and at times turbulent, path.

” The tenure of that National Working Committee witnessed internal leadership strains and institutional tests at the centre. These developments ultimately culminated in the decisive intervention of the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 104th meeting in December 2025, where a National Caretaker Working Committee was constituted in the overriding interest of stability and continuity”

He noted that the crisis compelled the organising committee to evolve a forward-looking theme for the Convention: “Inclusiveness, Unity, and Renewal”

“This theme is not a mere slogan; it is a strategic imperative”

According to him, The theme speaks directly to present reality and defines the pathway to our collective future.

“It calls on us to close ranks, rebuild trust, and reposition our party as the foremost platform for democratic governance in Nigeria”

Bukola Saraki while noting efforts made at reconciling the various waring groups without success, however urged the incoming Party executive not to abandon the ongoing reconciliation process, aimed at strengthening the party

Sule Lamido, speaking for former Governors also berated the past leaders of the party for excluding some party members which has brought the party to the current state of affairs.

He however expressed appreciation to the Abuja Court of Appeal for redirecting the party on the right path.

“Distinguished delegates, stakeholders, and leaders, we are assembled here as one united political family to perform one of the most sacred duties in any democratic process—the election of a new National Working Committee that will steer the affairs of our party over the next four years.

He therefore urged the new national Working Committee NWC to work for the unity of the party.