No Old Faces, No Same States — PDP to Overhaul NWC at August Convention
As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gears up for its national elective convention scheduled for August 28–30, 2025, the party’s leadership is making calculated moves to maintain its North-South zoning formula while introducing micro-zoning to avoid internal tensions and inject fresh energy into its National Working Committee (NWC).
Sources within the party revealed that while the broad zoning arrangement between the North and South will remain intact, no state will retain the same NWC position it currently holds. Instead, specific national offices will rotate among states within the same geopolitical zones, ensuring inclusiveness and a shake-up of entrenched power centers.
This decision follows the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on May 27, where party leaders approved an early convention in Kano to proactively address leadership disputes and set the stage for 2027 general election preparations.
“We’re doing this ahead of schedule to stabilise the party. All 19 NWC positions will be filled by new individuals,” a senior PDP insider told The PUNCH. “It’s part of a larger consultation effort to maintain unity.”
The current NWC, led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, is set to expire in December, but the convention aims to conclude leadership transitions early. A zoning committee has been established to manage the distribution of positions, led by Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri (Chairman), Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal (Vice Chairman), and Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Secretary).
The National Convention Committee, responsible for organising the event, is chaired by Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, with Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke as Vice Chairman, and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah as Secretary.
While the National Chairman is expected to remain in the North—likely the North Central, following the early exit of Iyorchia Ayu—Benue State will not retain the position. Similarly, the National Secretary role stays in the South East, but will shift away from Imo State.
Key roles such as National Organising Secretary, Legal Adviser, and Publicity Secretary will follow the same principle of state rotation within zonal boundaries.
“We want to bring in new energy,” a party source said. “No state will hold onto its current office. It’s a strategy to encourage fairness and reduce internal frictions.”
Efforts to contact Governor Diri for official comment were unsuccessful. However, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba confirmed that discussions were still ongoing.
“The NEC mandated the NWC to begin consultations, and that’s happening across all party organs. It’s too early to announce outcomes,” Ologunagba said.
Per Chapter 4, Part VIII of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), the NWC consists of 19 members, including the national chairman, secretary, treasurer, organising secretary, publicity secretary, legal adviser, youth leader, woman leader, financial secretary, and six zonal vice chairpersons.
As the PDP works to recover from its 2023 electoral defeat and reposition for 2027, the August convention is seen as a make-or-break moment in its quest for cohesion, renewal, and relevance.
