PDP postpones screening of convention aspirants

The Peoples Democratic Party has announced a postponement of the screening exercise for aspirants ahead of its 2025 Elective National Convention.

The screening, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, has been put on hold due to what the party described as “unforeseen circumstances.”

Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

He said the committee regrets any inconvenience the decision may have caused aspirants and members of the party, assuring that a new date will be communicated shortly.

“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 statement read.

Fintiri reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to conducting a transparent, credible, and seamless convention that will strengthen internal democracy within the party.

The PDP had earlier fixed November 15 and 16, 2025, for its elective national convention to be held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Ahead of the convention, the party on October 25 announced a 13-member National Convention Screening Committee headed by Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, a former Ondo State governorship candidate.

The Jegede-led panel was tasked with vetting aspirants for various national offices, with the screening originally set for Tuesday, October 28.

The postponement comes barely 24 hours after former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman.

Lamido’s declaration followed reports that northern PDP leaders had endorsed former Minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as their consensus candidate for the position.

However, the move has reportedly sparked discontent among some factions within the party.

Sources within the PDP revealed that blocs loyal to Lamido and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, rejected Turaki’s endorsement, describing it as “unilateral” and lacking proper consultation.

The growing disagreement underscores the mounting tension within the opposition party, which has in recent months seen a string of resignations and internal realignments.

Party insiders say the screening delay might not be unconnected with the ongoing leadership tussle and zoning disagreements that have defined pre-convention politics.