Reconciliation or Bust: PDP Leaders Push for Unity Before Crucial Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently in a race against time, as it works to resolve internal disputes and present a united front ahead of its crucial National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025. While there have been no specific public demands from a youth group, party leaders have confirmed that a vigorous reconciliation process is underway to address lingering grievances and set a new course for the party.

The PDP has long been plagued by internal crises, but party officials are optimistic that this time is different. In a recent press briefing, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, assured members that the party is united and that all rumors of a parallel convention are false. “There is no faction in the PDP,” he stated, adding that the party has received approval from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for all its convention preparations.

The party’s reconciliation efforts are being led by seasoned politicians. One such committee, headed by former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has been meeting with key stakeholders, including the PDP National Assembly Caucus, to hear their concerns and find common ground. These engagements are seen as a critical step toward healing the wounds from past elections and internal wrangles.

The upcoming National Convention is particularly significant for the PDP. It is not just an opportunity to elect new leaders, but also a platform to unveil the party’s strategic roadmap for the 2027 general elections. The choice of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, as the convention’s host city is also a symbolic gesture. It is the first time the convention will be held in the Southwest, a region considered vital for any political party hoping to win the presidency.

For many within the party, the stakes are high. As one aspirant for the PDP National Youth Leader position, Abduljabbar Rufai, put it, the party is in a very optimistic and hopeful position for the first time since 2015. He expressed confidence that the party would head into the convention as a “unified house,” a necessary prerequisite if the PDP hopes to regain power. The success of the reconciliation efforts will ultimately determine if the party can rise above its past challenges and present a credible alternative to the current administration.