Remarks by the National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), At the Inauguration of the 2025 National Convention Organizing Committee (Main Committee), on Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025

Remarks by the National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), At the Inauguration of the 2025 National Convention Organizing Committee (Main Committee), on Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished Leaders of our great Party,

Members of the National Working Committee,

Our esteemed Governors, Legislators, and Stakeholders,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2. It gives me immense pride to welcome everyone present here today to this inauguration of the 2025 National Convention Organizing Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

3. It is often said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Today, we take that step forward—towards strengthening and sustaining our great party through the instrumentality of balloting, as we pave the way for the next National Officers who will lead us into the future.

4. This Main Committee for the National Convention is ably chaired by His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, with His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State as Vice Chairman and His Excellency Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State as Secretary. Their competence to undertake this task is well known and unquestionable, and they also reflect the diversity and unity of our PDP family.

5. Your Excellencies, thank you for accepting to serve in these roles, which place substantial demands on your time and energy. However, I am confident that with your wealth of experience and commitment, you will discharge this mandate with diligence, fairness, and excellence.

6. Leaders, brothers and sisters of the PDP. This National Convention is of critical importance. The National Officers we elect will lead our great party into the next general elections and beyond. We must recognize that the challenges we face as the leading opposition are mutating, much to the dismay of well-meaning Nigerians. While the faction that broke out has not garnered much traction, we know that politics is dynamic, and the ruling class may seek to capitalize on or even sponsor such distractions to weaken the PDP, which remains the only dominant opposition party in our dear country, Nigeria.

7. Permit me to share a few brief reflections, which I believe will help underscore the importance of this committee’s work. By fate and through political outcomes, I did not contest as National Chairman of the PDP; I was elected as Deputy National Chairman (North). Yet, for nearly two years now, first in an acting capacity and now substantively, I have been entrusted with chairing the affairs of this great Party.

8. Since assuming this responsibility, I have laboured with sincerity and utmost commitment to steady the ship of our Party. In this period, we have pursued reconciliation, worked to reposition our structures, and ensured that despite challenges, the PDP remains the leading voice of the opposition and the enduring hope of millions of Nigerians. On this, we have succeeded.

9. But let me be clear; this success has only been made possible by silence and tolerance on my part. Not because I enjoy being disparaged, but because at critical moments, I chose restraint , not out of weakness, but as a conscious sacrifice for the survival and stability of our Party.

10. Ironically, many of the destructive voices have come from individuals who have benefited immensely from the PDP. They sought to sow division and weaken our structures. Yet history will record, and analysts will debate, but the consensus will remain that in a time of great difficulty, this National Working Committee, under my leadership, held the line and did a remarkable job.

11. Today, I say with conviction that the PDP is not broken. The PDP is not defeated. The PDP is marching forward; stronger, more determined, and better prepared to fulfill our overriding objective: to reclaim the presidency of this great country and rebuild Nigeria from the mismanagement of the current ruling party.

12. This is mission critical. The recent by-elections across the country, as well as the local government elections in Port Harcourt, speak for themselves. Opposition parties were met with intimidation and blatant rigging. The ruling party has shown no regard for democracy; their only interest lies in disenfranchising voters and stealing mandates. I will not dignify their actions by calling it ‘winning.’ Just as during the military era, when the founding fathers of our great party courageously accepted the responsibility of challenging the existing power structure, today we, too, accept this responsibility—to rescue Nigeria’s democracy from undemocratic forces and to save our nation from this ongoing bastardization.

13. The inauguration of this Committee, while part of our tradition, also symbolizes our collective determination to organize, to mobilize, and to deliver a National Convention that will stand as a testament to our democratic ideals.

14. As you know, the 2025 Elective National Convention is scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, from the 15th to 16th of November, 2025.

15. My charge to this Committee is simple, as you carry out your work, let fairness, equity, justice, and unity of purpose be your guiding principles. Let us set aside personal grievances and ambitions that do not serve the collective interest. (If any exists) Let us focus on the bigger picture: building public trust by proving to Nigerians through this convention that the PDP remains the vanguard of democracy and the blueprint for due process.

16. Let every member of our Party see, in your conduct, the assurance that PDP belongs to all.

17. I have no doubt that we will deliver a convention that reaffirms the PDP as the Party of the People, by the People, and for the People.

18. I hereby thank you all for your commitment and loyalty.

May God bless the PDP, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Long live the PDP!

*His Excellency Amb Umar Iliya Damagum*

PDP National Chairman