PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), Emmanuel Ogidi, says the party is engaged in a historic battle to protect Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that the newly elected leadership remains the legitimate authority despite internal resistance and legal disputes.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Ogidi declared that the leadership elected at the recently concluded convention in Ibadan is the authentic leadership of the PDP, dismissing suggestions that it is merely “de facto” or vulnerable to removal by a court order.
“Yes, de facto, we’re the leaders,”he said. “People don’t understand how we operate in the PDP. The convention is the last stage. We had fulfilled all processes before the convention. All communications with INEC had been done, INEC acknowledged them, and we even have a CTC. That means we followed the law.”
He explained that despite an attempt by the former national secretary to undermine the process, party organs had complied with every legal and procedural requirement.
“The next thing we heard was that the ex-secretary said the signature was void. How could it be void? We understood all those things. Those were the mines we needed to clear before getting to the convention, and God helped us,” he said.
Ogidi said the resistance faced before and during the convention was part of an orchestrated attempt to cripple the PDP.
“Charles, let me tell you something. PDP, as we are today, we are fighting for the soul of democracy—government of the people, for the people,”** he said. “With the APC, I totally reject them, but I have to give it to them—they are very effective. But we are resilient. We said no, we cannot allow this to happen, and that’s what we did.”
He said the party remained determined to push forward despite “counter-announcements” aimed at stopping the convention.
Confronted with reports that the faction led by Mao Ohuabunwa and Sam Anyanwu planned to hold a NEC meeting at the party headquarters on Tuesday, Ogidi said the group was weakening the PDP.
“What that group is doing is sad. If you take a name and kill it, it’s terrible. It weakens the PDP—and that’s what the ruling party would like to see,” he said.
He insisted the party base had empowered the new leadership to act decisively.
“It’s the People’s Democratic Party. Our strong base said finally, you can take the decision,”** he added.
Responding to criticism over the expulsion of prominent members including Nyesom Wike and Sam Anyanwu, Ogidi argued that the party had followed internal disciplinary procedures.
“If there is no discipline, then there’ll be chaos in every family. Before this, we warned them severally. We tolerated them,”he said. “There’s no doubt that Wike did things for the party, yes, but the Bible is very clear—do not let your good deeds be spoken of. That’s what has happened.”
He rejected claims that the expelled members were denied fair hearing.
“That is not true. We issued warnings. Several. We wrote to them. Of course. All the offences were stated,” he insisted.
Ogidi described the convention as a cathartic moment for the party.
“It’s big, really. We have this tumour issue. I’ve been reviewed, I’ve been pushed—that’s why I’m renewed. I was worried. We were not sure we’d be able to take that issue that day. But for the sake of democracy, for our teeming population, we said let’s do it.”
He added that while many expected a difficult process, the transition unfolded almost miraculously.
“Initially, we thought there was going to be anaesthesia and then major surgery. It turned out not to be a major surgery. God just allowed it to come out,”he said.
Asked about former Governor Sule Lamido’s allegation that he was unfairly excluded from obtaining forms for the convention, Ogidi was blunt.
“No, no, no—the timeline passed. I knew it. Many of us were pained that we had to do what we did,”he said.
Pressed on why Lamido still secured a court order, Ogidi replied:
“I don’t want to go into that. There are so many things happening today. The courts—we have used them for so many reasons.”
On whether expelled or dissenting members could be welcomed back, Ogidi said reconciliation efforts must not undermine party stability.
“There’s no chance of them coming back if there’s no discipline. Otherwise, there will be chaos,”** he said.
Asked about the mood within the PDP amid defections, court cases and a disputed convention, Ogidi insisted the party remains strong.
“It’s indestructible. No matter how hard I try—be careful what you say—we did say before 2015 that this party would rule Nigeria for 60 years. Nigeria thought otherwise. But where are we today? They’re regretting it,” he said.
Ogidi concluded by reiterating his faith in the resilience of the PDP and its capacity to recover ahead of the 2027 elections.
Boluwatife Enome
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