Barely 48 hours after the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoned the party’s presidential slot to the South, some members who migrated to the opposition coalition platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC) have started retreating.
This was as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) set September 2 to officially inaugurate the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) for the November 15-16 elective convention, known as Ibadan 2025.
In a notice signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the NWC disclosed that the 110-member committee, which has the governors of Adamawa and Enugu states, Ahmadu Fintri and Peter Mbah, as Chairman and Secretary, respectively, would be given official blessing to commence preparations for the watershed event.
While announcing the Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, as the Vice Chairman of the committee, Ologunagba urged PDP faithful, particularly the leaders and all critical stakeholders, “to remain united, focused and continue to work together towards the success of the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention.”
Already, there are signs that the burdened main opposition party may be on the path to structural healing; some of the leaders who joined the coalition movement on ADC, including former National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus and Odii Rowland, have found their way back into the PDP fold.
While Secondus participated in the 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, Rowland, in a letter addressed to the national chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagun, apologised for defecting from the party, stressing that it was a regrettable mistake.
In the letter dated August 27, 2025, Rowland stated: “I want to apologise to the entire PDP leadership, members, and supporters for my actions. I have come to appreciate the values of truth, justice, and internal democracy that PDP stands for.
“The party’s ability to resolve internal issues and its commitment to the country’s progress have reaffirmed my decision to return to the People’s democratic party, PDP. I am particularly impressed by the leadership of our National Chairman, which demonstrates PDP’s capacity to win the 2027 elections.
“I firmly believe my impact will be more significant in PDP than in any other party. Following the urging of my ward, local government, state, and national leaders, I have decided to return to PDP with my supporters. I pledge to work tirelessly for the party’s victory in 2027.”
Pleading with the party to consider his apologies, Rowland said he looks forward to contributing to PDP’s growth.
Recall that the PDP NEC zoned its ticket to the South and regretted that handing over its 2023 presidential ticket to a northern candidate, in breach of the power rotation, was a grave error of judgment that cost it a return to the Presidency and challenged the party’s cohesiveness.
