…Picks November for national convention in Ibadan
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to its members holding elective positions who defected to other political parties, declaring its intention to reclaim their seats through legal action.
The resolution was part of the key decisions reached at the 101st meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held on Thursday, 24th July 2025, in Abuja.
The party also expressed strong disapproval of members engaging in activities of rival political groups, cautioning that such actions violate Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on party membership.
These were contained in communiqué issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in which the PDP stated that it would enforce Section 68 (1)(g) and Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates the vacation of seats by lawmakers who defect without a justifiable division in their original party.
“NEC has directed the National Working Committee to take immediate legal action to recover the seats of all serving members of the National and State Assemblies elected on the platform of the PDP but defected to another party. By virtue of the self-executory provision of the constitution, such defectors have irredeemably lost their seats, there being no division or merger concerning the PDP”, Ologunagba said.
The party’s hardline stance comes amid growing concerns over the increasing defection of its elected officials, particularly to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP’s leadership argued that such defections undermine democratic principles and betray the trust of voters who elected them under the party’s banner.
“We will not allow individuals to exploit the mandate given to them by the people only to abandon the party mid-term without consequence,” a senior party official, who preferred anonymity, stated.
Additionally, the NEC frowned upon reports of some PDP members attending meetings and events organised by opposition parties, warning that such actions could lead to disciplinary measures. “The law does not permit membership of two political parties at the same time,” Ologunagba emphasised. “NEC calls on these members to reconsider their actions and demonstrate loyalty to the PDP, especially as we are making concerted efforts to address their concerns.”
The meeting also saw the party reaffirmed its commitment to internal reconciliation, with the NEC expressing satisfaction over the resolution of recent disagreements within its ranks. “The PDP remains a strong, united, and cohesive political party,” the communiqué read. “We are repositioned to effectively play our role as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, galvanising efforts to rescue the nation from the catastrophic misrule of the APC.”
In preparation for the 2027 general elections, the NEC approved the schedule for the party’s Elective National Convention, slated to hold from Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The convention is expected to produce a new set of national officers who will steer the party’s affairs ahead of the next electoral cycle. The party’s leadership has been instructed to formally notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the convention’s details in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
Meanwhile, the PDP reassured its members and supporters of its readiness to collaborate with other like-minded groups and individuals to form a formidable opposition against the APC-led government. “Our doors remain open to all Nigerians who share our vision of rescuing the country from the current administration’s failures,” Ologunagba stated. “The PDP is the platform of choice for those who truly desire a people-oriented government.”
The NEC adjourned its meeting and scheduled the next session for Monday, 25th August 2025, where further strategies for the party’s resurgence are expected to be discussed.
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