2027: PDP will give APC fight of its life – Bala Mohammed
•Damagum: The party is not sleeping on the coalition.
By: Ogulagha Vangurds
Senator Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has promised that in the upcoming general elections, the PDP will give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a fierce battle.
Therefore, he has pledged that he and his associates will mobilize all party organs to guarantee that it offers a legitimate forum for Nigerians to realize their dreams.
Speaking yesterday during the party’s 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the governor warned members not to mistreat those who just left the PDP, stating that the party will allow them to rejoin within a certain amount of time.
“We will give the APC a credible run for their money, in terms of contests that will be given on a level playing field with the party that is in touch.
Since the PDP is the primary opposition, he maintained that it is in a stronger position to lead any political alliance or coalition.
“We don’t need to create additional negative situations or create a lot of noise. To make sure we stay together and give Nigerians a legitimate platform to realize their dreams, we are working behind the scenes, behind the NWC, behind the BOT, behind the state chapters, and behind the National Assembly caucuses.
“As the BoT secretary has said, this is not time for calling names. This is not time for abuse. We sympathise with those who became impatient and left, but certainly, they will understand their fault. We will still leave the door ajar for them to come in when they wish to within a time limit.”
The Bauchi governor cautioned that the opposition party will no longer condone indiscipline within its fold, noting that indiscipline has brought the PDP so much troubles
“We will not continue to condone indiscipline because indiscipline is what brought us all the problems and challenges. Definitely, the party has shown resilience and the governors are going through a lot of challenges, just like the NWC.
“We continue to express confidence in the organs of the party, especially the NWC, who have shown magnanimity to even agree to go earlier than their time. They have shown that at least they are with us. They have shown selflessness, and we should always appreciate that.
“If everybody stands and becomes dogmatic, we are not going to where we are going. We thank the founding fathers who have come to rescue our image to a large extent. Yesterday’s outing was so good, and it has really placed us in a place where we should be. We have fathers. We have mothers. We are the sons of the party.
“We are ready to work with you so that no personal interest will divide us. Our ambition is no more important than the nation. We must be able to hide our personal ambition, either as governors or just seeking presidency so that we can leave a level playing field that will be attested to and recognised by the regulator INEC,” he stated.
Umar Damagum, the party’s acting national chairman, stated that the party was eager for the opposition coalition to be completely dismantled.
Damagun boasted that the party was not losing sleep over the coalition of opposition politicians recently unveiled under the aegis of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). According to Damagun, some members of the opposition party, who joined the coalition have already returned while some claimed they never left the PDP. He added that members of other political parties, who were originally part of the coalition have also returned to their legacy parties.
While Senator David Mark and former vice president, Atiku Abuubakar have formally resigned their membership of the PDP, other who are yet to quit have continued to fraternise with the ADC. Damagun stated that the PDP has never been bothered about the coalition and insisted it was the only political party with the requisite structure and national acceptability to sack the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“I must address the matter of a so-called coalition recently formed, which includes some defecting members of our party. On this issue, I am pleased to report that this political experiment is nothing to lose sleep over. They say a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Some people have recently learnt this truth in the most uncomfortable way.
“Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claimed they never left and merely attended a meeting. We accept their confessions without prejudice.
“Let me add that this reversal is not limited to PDP members alone. Individuals from other political parties who initially joined this coalition have realised that the venture is ill-fated and their swift return is proof of this.
“To close this matter, I believe that all of us look forward to the total dismantling of this ill-fated coalition, even as we extend our best wishes to those involved.”
The National Convention to choose new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) has been postponed by the NEC until November 15 and 16.
Following its 101st meeting yesterday in Abuja, the PDP NEC said in a statement issued by Debo Ologunagba, the party’s national publicity secretary, that the national convention that had been planned for August 28–30 in Kano State will now take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“NEC approved the year 2025 Elective National Convention Schedule of Activities and Timetable,” the press release stated. The next set of our party’s national officers will be chosen during the Elective National Convention, which will take place in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, from Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, November 16, 2025, in accordance with the agreed schedule.
Accordingly, NEC instructed the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Chairman, His Excellency, Amb. Iliya Damagum, to formally write to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to notify them of the time, location, and agenda of the Elective National Convention in compliance with Part 2(12) of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022 and Section 82 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“Accordingly, NEC approved the membership composition of the National Convention Committee as well as the membership composition of the National Convention Zoning Committee to ensure a successful, transparent and credible Elective National Convention.”
Also, the NEC directed the NWC to take legal steps to “recover the seats of all serving members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the PDP but defected” to other political parties, in line with Sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Furthermore, the party organ frowned at the participation of some of its members in the activities and meetings of other political parties, and cautioned the affected members to show loyalty to the PDP.
“NEC expressed serious concern and frowns at the reported participation and involvement of some Party members in the activities, meetings and gathering of another political party.
“NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and show loyalty and commitment as members of the PDP especially as the law does not permit membership of two political Parties at the same time.”
At a meeting on July 1, a number of PDP members, including former Senate President David Mark, former Vice President Aminu Tambuwal, and former governors of Sokoto State, Babangida Aliyu, Gabriel Suswam, and Sam Egwu—who were previously governors of Cross River, Niger, Benue, and Ebonyi states, respectively—expressed support for the coalition of opposition politicians for the 2027 elections.
The PDP was described as a shadow of its former self at the meeting, which was also attended by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Police Minister Waziri Maina, Senators Abdul Ningi and Tunde Ogbeha, and former External Affairs Minister Chief Tom Ikimi.
The results of the upcoming national convention, according to the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), will determine the political climate of the nation.
The secretary, Ahmed Makarfi, who spoke at a meeting of the board, ahead of the NEC, said it was up to the party to use the national convention to send a positive message to Nigerians.
Makarfi, while expressing delight over the return of normalcy to the opposition party, said the PDP must never take things for granted.
“We have to build on that stability, but we must never take things for granted, because for one reason or the other, some of our friends and associates have left us. I don’t believe they have left us for good.
“I think the success of the scheduled items is what will bring the majority of them back when you look at the program. We can even add new members to the PDP; I can’t list them all.
“So, the ball is in our court, not only to discuss and approve the items on the agenda, but to make sure the outcome of the scheduled National Convention sends a strong positive message to Nigerians, because that is what is going to define the political landscape in this country.”
“Some cannot be working to rebuild the party, and some are trying to demarket it,” the secretary of the BoT remarked, warning members to watch what they say.
He pointed out that the PDP has a chance to settle any internal disputes at the upcoming national convention and that the party shouldn’t pass up the chance.
We must come down and address our issues, even though we are aware that some people are upset. All complaints should be settled by the convention if we cooperate. We must not pass up this opportunity. “We ought to exercise patience and utilize it,” Makarfi said.
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