Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has issued a unified call for members to cease internal litigation and prioritise reconciliation, positioning the party for the 2027 general election. The directive emerged from a pivotal meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) on Wednesday.
The meeting, chaired by BoT Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, featured an address from National Caretaker Committee Chairman Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed. He explicitly linked recent court rulings to the need for unity, stating, “The court has spoken once again that the rule of law must prevail… Enough of litigations that will delay our activities towards the 2027 general election.” His appeal targets stakeholders to “unite ourselves for the betterment of our party.”
Senator Ohuabunwa framed the 86th BoT gathering as a “defining moment” for the PDP, urging “wisdom, institutional memory, and calm reflection” over emotion or haste. He positioned the BoT as “custodians of its soul, its values, and its constitutional integrity.” He cited the recently concluded ward and local government congresses—described as largely peaceful and transparent—as evidence of the party’s grassroots strength and commitment to participatory democracy.
The roadmap outlined includes state congresses scheduled for this weekend and the National Convention set for March 29-30. Ohuabunwa characterised these events as critical for “renewing the legitimacy, inclusiveness, and vitality” of the party and reaffirming its democratic principles.
A key contextual factor underpinning the party’s current stability is the recent Court of Appeal judgment. Both leaders referenced this ruling, which affirmed the legality and authority of the National Caretaker Committee led by Alhaji Mohammed. Ohuabunwa noted the judgments provided “much-needed clarity and stability,” and the party pledged to continue operating within the rule of law and its constitution.
The meeting’s outcomes signal a strategic shift from resolving internal conflicts through the courts to organising for future elections. The successful conduct of lower-level congresses is presented as a foundation for the imminent state exercises and the National Convention. By consolidating structures and reaffirming constitutional processes, the PDP’s leadership aims to present a cohesive front for the 2027 electoral cycle, advocating that sustained legal challenges now undermine that long-term objective. The March convention is poised as a key milestone in this unification and repositioning effort.
Comments are closed for this story.