Abuja, October 16, 2025 – In a strategic move to steady its ship ahead of a pivotal national convention, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially appointed Senator Ben Obi as the new Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC). This announcement, made on Wednesday, underscores the party's determination to maintain organizational integrity despite a turbulent wave of high-profile defections that have rocked its ranks in recent weeks.
The appointment of Senator Obi comes as an immediate response to the abrupt departure of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who vacated his position as NCOC Secretary upon defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) just this Tuesday. Mbah's exit marks yet another blow to the PDP, which has been grappling with internal divisions and a perceived erosion of its opposition stronghold. The PDP's elective national convention, a critical event slated for November 15 to 16, 2025, in the historic city of Ibadan, Oyo State, will serve as the battleground for electing new party leadership and setting the tone for the 2027 general elections. With less than a month to go, the timely replacement of key figures like Obi is seen as essential to ensuring seamless preparations.
In a formal statement released from the party's national headquarters in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, detailed that the NWC unanimously approved Obi's nomination on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC). "This decision reflects our commitment to injecting fresh expertise and unwavering loyalty into the convention machinery," Ologunagba stated. He lavished praise on the 68-year-old Senator Obi, portraying him as a "seasoned politician with an illustrious track record in party administration and national politics." Obi, who previously served as a special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on inter-party affairs, brings over two decades of experience to the role. His tenure in the Nigerian Senate, representing Anambra Central from 2011 to 2019, equipped him with deep insights into legislative processes and coalition-building—skills that PDP insiders believe will be invaluable in navigating the convention's complexities.
Beyond the appointment, the NWC used the platform to reaffirm its "unwavering confidence" in the entire NCOC, which is ably chaired by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. Fintiri, a staunch PDP loyalist known for his grassroots mobilization prowess, has been at the helm since the committee's inception earlier this year. The statement expressed optimism that, under his leadership, the NCOC would surmount recent "internal challenges" and deliver a "hitch-free, inclusive, and successful convention." This endorsement is particularly poignant given the timing: just days after Mbah's defection, the party is racing against the clock to finalize delegate lists, venue logistics, and security protocols for the Ibadan event, expected to draw over 4,000 delegates from across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The backdrop to these developments is a growing crisis of defections that threatens to undermine the PDP's cohesion. Governor Peter Mbah's switch to the APC on Tuesday was not an isolated incident but part of a broader exodus. Just last week, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri followed suit, citing "strategic realignments" for his move—a decision that stunned party faithful and prompted accusations of betrayal from PDP hardliners. Diri, who secured a second term under the PDP banner in 2023, had been a key figure in the party's South-South power base. His departure, alongside Mbah's, has amplified concerns over the PDP's diminishing influence in the oil-rich Niger Delta and the southeastern heartland. Sources within the party reveal that at least five other governors and over 20 federal lawmakers are rumored to be contemplating similar jumps, fueled by frustrations over internal power struggles, perceived leadership failures under Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, and the allure of APC patronage ahead of 2027.
Analysts attribute this defection spree to a confluence of factors. Economically, the PDP has struggled to capitalize on public discontent with President Bola Tinubu's administration amid soaring inflation and fuel subsidy woes. Politically, the party's 2023 presidential loss to Tinubu by a narrow margin exposed deep fissures, including the lingering fallout from Atiku Abubakar's candidacy and Wike-Fayose rivalries. "Defections are a symptom of a party in transition," opined Dr. Aisha Bello, a political scientist at the University of Abuja. "The PDP must use the Ibadan convention not just to elect leaders, but to heal wounds and redefine its opposition role." For Governor Mbah, his APC move is viewed as a pragmatic bid to safeguard Enugu's federal allocations and infrastructure projects, echoing similar rationales from Diri, who emphasized "national unity" in his resignation letter.
Despite the gloom, PDP stalwarts remain defiant. Ologunagba's statement highlighted the party's "robust democratic credentials," pointing to its history of producing three presidents and maintaining a presence in 12 governorships. The NCOC, now bolstered by Obi's appointment, has outlined an ambitious agenda: sub-committees on finance, accreditation, and protocol are already mobilizing, with virtual town halls planned for zonal delegates. Governor Fintiri, in a parallel address, vowed to "deliver a convention that unites, not divides," urging members to shun "anti-party antics."
As Nigeria's political landscape heats up, the PDP's Ibadan gathering looms large. Will Senator Obi's steady hand guide the party through the storm? Or will defections accelerate, handing the APC an unchallenged dominance? With Obi at the secretary's desk, the PDP signals resilience, but the real test unfolds in Oyo State's capital next month. Stakeholders across the spectrum are watching closely, knowing that the outcome could reshape Nigeria's bi-polar politics for years to come.
