Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are meeting today, Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, to deliberate on the party’s leadership crisis and chart a new direction for the embattled opposition party.
A senior party source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confirmed to Akelicious that the meeting is set to address the lingering controversy over the position of the National Secretary, following the Supreme Court’s recent judgment reinstating Senator Samuel Anyanwu, as well as the delayed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
“The PDP governors are expected to come out of this meeting with a clear stance on Anyanwu’s position, the NEC rescheduling, and the broader leadership crisis. This is a critical juncture for the party,” the source said.
The meeting, which continues into Monday, also aims to tackle the escalating leadership crisis in the South-South zone, the emergency situation in Rivers State, and internal disputes within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The apex court had, on March 21, nullified an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal which upheld Anyanwu’s removal, throwing the party into confusion as both factions—those loyal to Anyanwu and his rival, Sunday Ude-Okoye—claimed victory.
Speaking on the gathering, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the development, saying, “The PDP Governors’ Forum meeting scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday, April 13 and Monday, April 14, 2025, is part of ongoing efforts to reposition the party.”
Meanwhile, a separate strategic meeting reportedly took place in Abuja earlier in the week involving former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki, former Governor Sule Lamido, and key allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The goal: to rescue the PDP from further internal implosion.
According to another insider present at the Abuja meeting, “The leaders resolved to shelve any plans of coalition-building and instead channel their energy into rebuilding the PDP. Every party has its issues, but the PDP still has a robust structure and capable leadership.”
Among those in attendance were PDP BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, former Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal, and others including Adamu Waziri and Lawal Batagarawa. The PDP Governors were represented by their Forum Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.
The leaders reportedly agreed to engage aggrieved members, restructure the NWC, and prepare for a national convention to elect new party executives later in the year.
Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi both welcomed the renewed unity efforts. Osadolor noted, “With the calibre of leaders stepping up, the PDP is certainly on the right path. The party has seen darker days, but we are optimistic about a strong comeback.”
Echoing the sentiment, Odeyemi added, “Unity is the bedrock of success in politics. If the leaders remain committed to reconciliation, then 2027 could still be a winning year for the PDP.”
As the Ibadan meeting unfolds, all eyes are on the PDP governors to deliver decisions that could either mend the party’s fractures—or deepen them further.