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By Myke Agunwa
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its confidence in the Amb. Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) and other organs of the party, describing the PDP as a united, formidable, and focused political organization despite recent internal tensions.
It announced the constitution of a high-powered reconciliation committee to immediately engage all factions and restore unity ahead of the convention.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency meeting held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the BoT commended the Damagum-led NWC, the PDP Governors’ Forum, and the National Convention Organizing Committee for their collective efforts in stabilizing the party as it prepares for its elective national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Chairman of the BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who read the communique, called on all members of the PDP to close ranks and focus on unity ahead of the convention. “This party has weathered storms before and emerged stronger each time. We will not allow internal differences to destroy what millions of Nigerians have built,” he said.
He added that “the BoT remains unwavering in its commitment to protect the soul of the PDP and ensure that the upcoming convention reflects our collective will, discipline, and democratic values.”
The BoT also welcomed the recent ruling of the Oyo State High Court presided over by Justice A. L. Akintola, which affirmed the party’s constitutional right to manage its internal affairs, including conducting the convention as scheduled. It described the ruling as “a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and political development in Nigeria,” noting that “no external or internal force should derail the PDP from its constitutional path.”
The party elders however, expressed concern over recent events within the party, including the invasion of its national secretariat and the suspension controversies that have dominated public discourse. It noted that such actions “do not reflect the ideals, discipline, and decorum that the PDP has always stood for.
“As the conscience of the party, the BoT cannot and will not take sides but will remain focused on safeguarding the integrity of the PDP and ensuring dialogue over discord,” the communiqué stated. “Our strength as a political family lies in our ability to resolve differences through conversation, not confrontation. The decision for reconciliation is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of maturity and responsibility.”
It further emphasized that “the PDP must rise above individual interests and remind Nigerians that it remains the only party with the experience and structure to rescue and rebuild our nation.”
Members of the BoT Reconciliation Committee are: Amb. Hassan Adamu (North East) – Chairman, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe (South South) – Secretary, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (South East), Sen. Zaynab Kure (North Central), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (South West) and Dr. Lubna Mohammed Gusau (North West)
The committee was mandated to report back to the BoT on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, for further action.
Earlier in his address, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Iliya Damagum, thanked members of the BoT for their continued support and pledged that the NWC would remain committed to peace, inclusivity, and internal democracy within the party. He emphasized that the forthcoming convention would be “a unifying exercise that will consolidate the PDP’s internal cohesion and renew public confidence in our leadership.”
The meeting was attended by prominent personalities like Arc. Setonji Koshedo (Acting National Chairman), Iyom Josephine Aneni former Minister of Women Affair, Prof. Jerry Gana former PDP National Secretary, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi and others.
It was however observed that BoT members loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nesom Wike were conspicuously absent.