Major PDP Figures, Governors, and 13 State Delegations Absent at National Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in Ibadan on Saturday was marked by notable absences, including delegations from 13 states and several prominent party leaders, signaling ongoing internal tensions within the party.

Among the absent serving governors were Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas. Their nonattendance came amid a convention focused on restructuring party leadership and validating executives elected through recent congresses.

The convention also saw the absence of several former national leaders and senior PDP figures, including Goodluck Jonathan, Namadi Sambo, Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (rtd.), Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senate Majority Leader Abba Moro, Uche Secondus, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, Sule Lamido, Bello Haliru Mohammed, Henry Seriake Dickson, Ahmed Makarfi, Darius Ishaku, Gabriel Suswam, Sam Egwu, Ayodele Fayose, Achike Udenwa, Nyesom Wike, and Col. Bala Mande (rtd.), among others.

In addition, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not present at the gathering, an unusual occurrence for a major party convention.

Despite the absences, the convention proceeded, including discussions on party restructuring and plans to install caretaker committees in states where executives have been dissolved.

Analysts say the pattern of absences highlights ongoing factional disputes within the PDP and underscores the need for reconciliation ahead of the 2027 general elections.