Garba Mohammed
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the postponement of the screening exercise for aspirants ahead of its much-anticipated 2025 Elective National Convention. The screening, which was initially scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, has been put on hold due to what party officials described as “unforeseen circumstances.”
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. He said a new date for the screening would be communicated to all aspirants and stakeholders in due course. Fintiri expressed regret over any inconvenience the postponement might have caused, assuring party members that the committee remained committed to conducting a credible, transparent, and hitch-free convention.
According to Fintiri, “A new date will be communicated once fixed. The NCOC regrets any inconvenience caused by the postponement. All aspirants and members of our party should note the foregoing and be guided accordingly.”
The PDP had earlier announced that its elective national convention would hold between November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. In preparation for the exercise, the party on October 25 released the list of members of its National Convention Screening Committee, headed by respected legal luminary and former Ondo State governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN. The committee’s mandate is to vet and clear aspirants contesting various national offices within the party.
The postponement of the screening comes just hours after former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, declared his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman. His declaration has intensified political tensions within the PDP, especially following the recent endorsement of former Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as the Northern consensus candidate for the same position.
However, the endorsement has not gone down well with several factions of the party. Groups loyal to Lamido and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, have reportedly rejected Turaki’s selection, describing the process as hasty and lacking broad consultation. The divisions have further deepened internal disagreements, coming at a time when the party has witnessed a wave of resignations and defections in several states.
Despite these internal challenges, Fintiri reaffirmed the commitment of the convention organising committee to uphold transparency and fairness in the conduct of the exercise. He noted that the PDP remains focused on repositioning itself as a viable alternative ahead of future general elections.
The PDP’s elective national convention is expected to produce a new set of national officers who will steer the affairs of the party as it prepares for the next electoral cycle.