PDP appoints 13-member screening committee ahead of November national convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a 13-member screening committee ahead of its national elective convention slated for November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The event will take place at Adamasingba Stadium.

Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa state and chairman of the convention organising committee (NCOC), announced on Saturday.

Eyitayo Jegede, former Ondo governorship candidate and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), will chair the committee.

Other members include former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun, Achike Udenwa of Imo, Josephine Anenih, Mariam Chiroma, Felix Hassan Hyat, Emmanuel Enoidem, Aduke Maina, and Zainab Maina.

Mohammed Diri will serve as deputy chairman, while Asue Ighodalo is the secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named deputy secretary.

According to the NCOC, the screening of aspirants will begin on Tuesday.

The PDP continues preparations for the convention amid unresolved internal disputes and a pending lawsuit at a federal high court in Abuja.

The case, presided over by James Omotosho, challenges the legality of the exercise over alleged exclusion of stakeholders and inadequate consultations.

The court has scheduled October 31 for its ruling — just two weeks before the planned convention.

Some party leaders, led by Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), are demanding the restoration of the south-south zonal committee and resolution of disputed congresses in the south-east, Cross River, Plateau, Akwa Ibom, and Kebbi.

The party has also witnessed fresh defections in recent weeks.

Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, and Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, have both left the PDP.

While Mbah joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), Douye’s allies have also moved to the ruling party, sparking speculation about his next political alignment.

In the north, some members are divided over the emergence of Tanimu Turaki, former minister of special duties, as the “consensus candidate” for the position of national chairman.

Turaki was endorsed on Wednesday following a meeting of northern stakeholders in the north-west zone.

However, the selection has been challenged by a faction led by Umar Bature, outgoing national organising secretary, who argued that the decision lacked broad consultation.

Debo Ologunagba, PDP national publicity secretary, said the party has not barred anyone from contesting.

“No member of the party who wishes to contest any position has been denied the right to do so,” Ologunagba said.