No reform, no convention, Wike, Fayose, Ortom, others roar at PDP NWC

With preparations intensifying ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention, some of the party’s most influential stakeholders have issued a six-point ultimatum to the National Working Committee (NWC), demanding urgent reforms to ensure credibility and inclusiveness within the party.

The demands were put forward during a high-level meeting held Monday night at the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

In attendance were former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), alongside the PDP’s National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.

A communiqué issued early Tuesday morning and signed by Ortom on behalf of the group outlined their six core demands, warning that failure to comply would undermine the legitimacy of the forthcoming convention.

According to the stakeholders, fresh congresses must be conducted in Anambra and Ebonyi States in line with existing court judgments, new South East Zonal Congress must be urgently held and  the outcome of the South-South Congress held in Calabar—already upheld by the courts—must be respected.

They also said the PDP must immediately conduct the Ekiti Local Government Area congresses, in line with relevant judicial pronouncements.

They said there should be no micro-zoning of national offices, beyond the general zoning framework already adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

They insisted that the position of National Chairman must remain in the North Central, consistent with the zoning arrangement from the 2021 national convention.

The group emphasized that the PDP must return to the principles of equity, fairness, and inclusiveness, which they said were fundamental to its founding vision and critical to its future as a viable opposition party.

“The PDP is at a defining crossroads,” the communiqué stated. “Any attempt to sideline legitimate members or ignore binding judicial decisions will only widen existing divisions and compromise party unity.”

The stakeholders cautioned the current party leadership that failure to address these issues could plunge the party into a deeper internal crisis at a time when cohesion is vital ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They urged the NWC to prioritize transparency, fairness, and full compliance with legal rulings to ensure a credible and successful convention.

“The PDP was built on a foundation of inclusivity, justice, and democratic values,” they added. “To reclaim its place as Nigeria’s leading opposition force, the party must rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility.”