…As party inaugurates convention committee
…Bala Mohammed lambasts Wike’s faction as ‘faction of fools’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a hard stance against former governors Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Ayo Fayose, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, stressing that no faction or individual will dictate the party’s direction.

This message was delivered during the inauguration of the 2025 National Convention Organising Committee (Main Committee) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Present at the ceremony were PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum; Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed; Adamawa State Governor and Chairman of the Convention Committee, Ahmadu Fintiri; and former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, represented by former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The tension followed a six-point ultimatum from the former governors, who demanded fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States, a new South East Zonal Congress, immediate conduct of Ekiti local government congresses, recognition of the South South Congress outcome upheld by the courts, a halt to micro-zoning beyond the NEC-approved formula, and retention of the National Chairmanship in the North Central. They warned that failure to meet these demands would invalidate the forthcoming national convention.

Speaking on behalf of the PDP governors, Bala Mohammed delivered a blunt warning. “We are not cowards. We are not afraid of anybody. But we cannot continue to keep quiet and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That is their job. Our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse. We will not allow it. Accommodation does not mean stupidity. If anybody wants to form a faction of fools, we will allow him to go and do so,” he declared.

He stressed that the party remains firmly committed to enforcing discipline. “We are working with the National Working Committee to ensure discipline is maintained. PDP is the only party that has remained consistent since 1999, and we will not allow anybody to take it for granted. Enough is enough,” Mohammed added.

Damagum reinforced the party’s position, asserting that the PDP remains strong and united despite internal wrangling.

“Today, I say with conviction that the PDP is not broken. The PDP is not defeated. The PDP is marching forward; stronger, more determined, and better prepared to reclaim the presidency of this great country and rebuild Nigeria from the mismanagement of the current ruling party.

“The ruling party has shown no regard for democracy. Their only interest lies in disenfranchising voters and stealing mandates. Just as our founding fathers once challenged the military, we too must rescue Nigeria’s democracy from undemocratic forces,” he said, further alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was backing internal saboteurs to destabilise the PDP.

Representing Senator Wabara, Senator Makarfi appealed for calm but insisted the will of the majority must prevail.

“The work of the convention planning committee is quite challenging. It is not about excluding anybody, but it is also not about denying the majority their right to prevail, because that is what democracy is about. A convention is not about 100 per cent agreement, but about the overwhelming majority. That is what must be reflected at the convention,” he said.

Governor Fintiri, who chairs the Convention Committee, pledged to deliver a transparent and credible convention.

“I will not place our relationships above this party. I will deliver on my assignment. Nobody will be denied the chance to contest any position. Buy the forms, submit them, and test your popularity before the delegates. That is how democracy works,” he stated.

He criticised party members who escalate internal disagreements to the media. “Let us not take all our matters to the media. It is becoming too embarrassing. If you are a party man, you settle issues within the party. We will not allow indiscipline and blackmail to derail this process,” Fintiri warned.

He called on PDP members to prioritise unity over personal ambition. “The Secretariat is open, the work begins now, and I call on all members of the committee to sacrifice personal comfort to ensure that we deliver a transparent, successful convention that will send a clear message: PDP is alive, PDP is united, and PDP is ready to take power,” he said.