The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disowned a document circulating in sections of the media and purported to be the report of its Reconciliation Committee.
This development comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the PDP’s National Convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan.
In recent days, various interest groups have released statements and counter-statements, prompting concerns over the party’s unity as it prepares to elect a new national leadership. The BoT is now moving decisively to clarify its position.
In a statement issued and signed by the Chairman of the BOT, Senator Adolphus Wabara on Friday, the BoT categorically declared that the said report “does not represent the official position of the Board, stressing that it was neither discussed nor adopted by its members.”
According to the BoT, “the content of the circulating document cannot in any form or guise be regarded as the position of the Board, having not been considered or approved by the BoT.”
Reaffirming its stance, the BoT expressed unwavering support for the conduct of the elective National Convention which is currently underway in Ibadan, where new national leaders will be elected to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years.
It noted that “the decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s reaffirmation of the authority of political parties to manage their internal affairs.”
In a clear rejection of alternative proposals, the BoT dismissed suggestions for the formation of a Caretaker Committee, insisting that such an option is not under consideration and runs contrary to the party’s resolve to proceed with an elective convention.
The BoT called on party members across the country to remain focused, united, and committed to ensuring the successful conduct of the convention.
Factional leaders Request
Some factional leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had urged the BoT to implement the report of the reconciliation committee which suggested that the convention be shelved for now and a caretaker committee be formed that would manage the affairs of the party until all issues are resolved.
This position was taken by Mr George Turna (South-South Zonal Secretary), Amah Abraham (Abia State Chairman), and Austin Nwachukwu (Imo state Chairman). They insisted that the party’s National Convention cannot legally hold, citing multiple court judgments and the findings of the Wabara-led BOT Reconciliation Committee.
George Turna said “their resort to the Federal High Court followed “undemocratic practices” in the build-up to the proposed convention, particularly the failure to conduct state congresses in line with the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act.
“We expected guidelines, we expected a timetable, we expected procedures, none was issued.
“Congress was not properly conducted in at least 14 states. One wonders how a national convention can proceed while disenfranchising delegates from 14 states.”
Turna said that the BOT committee’s interaction with the NWC confirmed their concerns, noting that “even the suspended National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, admitted that the National Organizing Secretary was running a one-man show.”
He emphasised that the BOT committee recommended that the convention should only proceed if the legal environment was favourable and if INEC was able to monitor it.
He said; “Instead of implementing these recommendations, some individuals have jettisoned the report and insist on a convention. Nigerians must know who is on the side of the law.”
He also maintained that the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary have already declared that “there will be no convention anywhere in Nigeria,” insisting that they are the only officers constitutionally empowered to issue convention notices.
Amah Abraham highlighted the stature of members of the reconciliation committee, describing them as “six eminent Nigerians representing all geopolitical zones,” and stressed that implementing their recommendations “will restore sanity amidst the ongoing crisis.”
The leaders concluded that obeying court orders, respecting the BOT report, and returning the party to constitutional order remain the only paths to a credible and lawful convention.