Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its national convention in mid-November to elect new leadership as it seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the 2027 general elections. The decision, announced during the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, sets the stage for a pivotal reorganization effort aimed at strengthening its opposition role against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Delegates are set to gather in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, on November 15–16 for the election of national officers. National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba confirmed the party has instructed its leadership to formally notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the convention plans. Two panels—the National Convention Committee and the National Convention Zoning Committee—have been established to oversee preparations, with a focus on ensuring “transparent and credible” proceedings.
In a notable move, the NEC directed the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to pursue legal action against lawmakers elected on its platform who later defected to rival parties. Citing constitutional provisions that bar politicians from switching parties without a formal division or merger within their original party, Ologunagba stated such defectors “have irredeemably lost their seats.” The announcement signals a hardening stance against internal dissent, particularly as Nigeria’s political landscape grows increasingly competitive.
The committee also expressed alarm over reports of PDP members unofficially engaging with activities of other political groups. Nigerian law prohibits dual party membership, and the NEC urged those involved to “reconsider their actions” and reaffirm loyalty to the PDP. While acknowledging lingering concerns among some members, the party leadership pledged to address grievances, describing recent efforts to unify factions as “successful.”
With Nigeria’s next presidential election three years away, the PDP framed its convention as a critical step in positioning itself to challenge the APC, which has governed since 2015. Ologunagba emphasized the party’s commitment to remaining “strong, united, and focused” despite recent electoral setbacks, including losing its position as the majority opposition in the Senate earlier this year.
The NEC’s next meeting is scheduled for August 25, where further strategies to bolster the party’s national influence are expected to take shape. Analysts say the November convention will test the PDP’s ability to present a cohesive front amid ongoing tensions between its established leadership and newer factions seeking internal reforms.
