Panicked PDP Calls Emergency Session as Top Members Flee to APC

Panicked PDP has Called  for Emergency Meeting as Top Members Flee to APC.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned its National Working Committee (NWC) for an urgent gathering on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Abuja. The emergency meeting comes in the wake of a string of high-ranking defections that threaten to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wave of Defections Deepens PDP Crisis

Over the past fortnight, the PDP has lost several key figures in rapid succession:

• Ifeanyi Okowa, former vice-presidential candidate.
• Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, alongside the entire PDP leadership in that state.
• Oluwole Oke, five-term member of the House of Representatives from Osun State.

Also Read : Who Now Leads Delta APC as Oborevwori, Okowa’s Defection Sparks Inevitable Battles

Delta State—once a PDP stronghold—has now seen its governors, senators and local council chairpersons decamp to rival parties. Political analysts warn that the party’s diminished numbers in the National Assembly could undermine its legislative influence and funding streams.

Details of the Emergency NWC Meeting

According to an exclusive copy of the invitation obtained by The PUNCH, acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo has formally requested all NWC members and cabinet secretaries to attend:

• Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
• Time: 12:00 noon (prompt)
• Venue: NWC Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja

The agenda encompasses:

1. Analysis of recent defections and identification of root causes
2. Recommendations from the PDP Governors Forum
3. Preparation for upcoming Congresses and the National Elective Convention
4. Strategic repositioning in anticipation of the 2027 polls

A senior party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that halting the exodus will require both political incentives and stronger internal discipline.

Leadership Rift Fuels Uncertainty

The PDP’s leadership vacuum has exacerbated the crisis. Since former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu stepped down, factions have clashed over his successor:

• Umar Damagum, Acting National Chairman, has faced criticism for failing to prevent defections.
• Setonji Koshoedo, appointed National Secretary by the Governors Forum, issued the emergency meeting notice.
• Senator Samuel Anyanwu, reinstated as National Secretary by the Supreme Court on March 21, 2025, insists he will attend and insists judicial intervention in internal disputes was inappropriate.

“We will do our best to ensure that peace reigns in the PDP and that the party is preserved,” Anyanwu stated, pledging cooperation despite ongoing tussles.

Observers note that unresolved disputes over the Secretary position have paralyzed decision-making and weakened the party’s ability to present a united front.

Strategic Measures on the Table

Sources say the NWC will consider several counter-defection strategies:

• Re-engagement tours for disaffected governors and lawmakers
• Incentive packages—including committee appointments and funding guarantees
• Conflict-resolution committees to address local grievances
• Strengthened anti-defection clauses in the party constitution

One NWC official admitted, “There is nothing the PDP can do to stop those determined to leave—unless you can meet all their demands or shield them from anti-graft probes.” Nonetheless, party strategists hope a blend of carrots and sticks will slow the bleeding.

Implications for the 2027 Elections

The PDP’s ability to retain its traditional bases in the South-South and South-West will be critical. Key considerations include:

• Legislative strength: Loss of National Assembly seats may cost the PDP influence over budget and appointments.
• State government control: Defections in Delta State could embolden rival parties in other southern states.
• National unity: Prolonged leadership disputes risk alienating grassroots members and donors.

Political analyst Dr. Ifedayo Ogunleye says, “The PDP must demonstrate internal cohesion before it can credibly challenge for the presidency in 2027. Otherwise, it risks ceding ground to a more unified opposition.”

Looking Ahead

With the emergency NWC meeting set for April 29, all eyes will be on which strategies the PDP adopts to plug the leaks. Key outcomes to watch:

1. Reconciliation initiatives led by senior party elders
2. Official response to the Supreme Court’s National Secretary ruling
3. Concrete plans for the 2025 Congresses and 2026 National Executive Convention
4. Messaging discipline to reassure the electorate and investors

As the clock ticks towards 2027 polls, the PDP’s survival—and its prospects of reclaiming power—hinge on swift, decisive action at Tuesday’s session. Failure to stem the tide of defections may consign the party to opposition status for the foreseeable future.

TJ News Nigeria, additional reporting by Omajemite Don