Member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Ejiofor Onyia, has insisted that the party will proceed with its national convention in Ibadan this weekend, despite conflicting court rulings and internal divisions.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday, Onyia maintained that the Supreme Court had made it clear that issues relating to party administration were not for the judiciary to determine, adding that “the PDP is going to the convention” and “there is only one PDP.”
“One thing is certain: PDP is going to the convention. As far as most of us know, there is only one PDP,” he said. “The bickering within the system is based on indiscipline. The Supreme Court has declared that issues of the party are not for the court to determine. The way the party is run is the party’s prerogative, and based on that, every other thing that is going on is to be discontinued.”
Onyia dismissed fears that the ongoing court cases could derail the convention, saying the tenure of the current executive committee had expired and there was need to elect new officers to “put things right.”
“The tenure of the present executive is ending, and therefore there is need for the party to have a new executive in place. I don’t know why people are afraid of the convention. After the convention, PDP will settle down to do what is best for itself and for this nation,” he said.
The PDP chieftain criticised members who continue to take internal matters to court, accusing them of undermining party unity.
“The Supreme Court, which is the highest judicial body in the country, made it clear that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of the party. Yet, people keep going back to court and bringing up all sorts of issues,” he said. “I feel bad, for example, that a founding father of this party like Sule Lamido would take his own son to court. That doesn’t show a good attitude at all. If there’s an issue, you should come into the system and seek a solution.”
He explained that senior members like himself were no longer seeking positions but were focused on stabilising the PDP and restoring it as the country’s leading opposition.
“At our age now, we’re not seeking any position. What we’re trying to do is to stabilise the PDP and make it the real opposition party in this country—to take back the power we lost because of unnecessary bickering. There must be compromises; you can’t always have everything you want. The nation needs this, not you,” Onyia said.
Reaffirming that the convention would hold in Ibadan, Onyia stated:
“The convention must hold—in three days’ time. People are coming to the convention. Remember when we had issues of who was the secretary and there were court cases from all corners until the Supreme Court ruled that courts were overstepping their bounds. It’s the same thing playing out again. Convention holds this weekend in Ibadan. We will elect the next set of executives and bring the PDP back to what it used to be.”
He also disclosed that two committees—the Board of Trustees’ reconciliation committee and another set up by the PDP Governors’ Forum—were working to restore unity within the party.
Addressing questions about the disciplinary committee led by former foreign minister Tom Ikimi, Onyia said its report would be implemented by the incoming leadership.
“The disciplinary committee had done its job, but the party felt it was not the appropriate time to act because we were seeking a solution that would bring everybody back together without being punitive. Once the new executive is in place, the report will be implemented,” he said.
When asked about reports that the party was planning to suspend or expel FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for anti-party activities, Onyia dismissed such claims as premature.
“We’re jumping the gun. I’ve not been in any discussion where a decision was taken to expel anybody. The new executive will make recommendations based on the disciplinary committee’s report. This is not the time to be punitive or to point fingers,” he said.
Onyia rejected suggestions that the PDP was in decline, stressing that the party’s grassroots support remained strong and that it would rebound ahead of the 2027 elections.
“It can never be the end of the road for PDP. We’ve had crises before—remember when some governors walked out and formed the New PDP? They eventually came back. People are afraid of what PDP represents—the followership, the capability, and the threat we pose,” he said. “The party is a private organisation, and it has the authority to make changes at any time. It doesn’t need to seek approval from anyone.”
Asked whether the crisis could affect the PDP’s performance in the 2027 polls, Onyia said:
“Let us finish this convention so that the new executive can bring out a new plan. The PDP’s followership is still intact; every ward in this country is waiting for leadership to take charge. PDP is set for 2027. Believe me, we will score something that will shock this country.”
He concluded on an optimistic note, describing the party’s current turbulence as an opportunity for renewal.
“Definitely, this is what it is—a blessing in disguise. The way we are being treated is stirring up sympathy from the populace. People are asking, ‘Why are they doing this to PDP?’ It’s making us more popular without them knowing it. PDP will come back, and come back stronger,” Onyia said.
Boluwatife Enome
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