PDP Fires Up 2025 Race: Full Timetable For National Convention Unveiled

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially released the timetable for its upcoming elective national convention, scheduled to take place on November 15 and 16, 2025.

The schedule was disclosed in a statement signed by Umar Bature, the party’s National Organising Secretary, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the timetable:

• Sale of nomination and expression of interest forms will begin on September 3 and close on September 22.

• Submission of completed forms is expected by September 26.

• Screening of aspirants is slated for September 30, with the publication of cleared aspirants on October 3.

• Appeals from the screening process will be handled on October 6, followed by the publication of the final list of aspirants on October 10.

• The handover process is expected to occur between December 1 and December 8.

Meanwhile, tension continues within the Social Democratic Party (SDP)…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged refusal to recognize the party’s candidates for the forthcoming by-elections in 12 states.

In a statement released Sunday, SDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, condemned the electoral body’s action as “an overreach,” asserting that the affected candidates emerged from properly conducted primaries.

“We trust the judiciary to compel INEC to accept our candidates, who were nominated in line with the party constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC guidelines,” Aiyenigba stated.

The party further criticized INEC’s decision, which reportedly also affected Labour Party candidates, as being contrary to a Supreme Court ruling that affirms political parties’ right to independently select their flagbearers.

“INEC lacks constitutional power to determine a party’s candidates or interfere in its nomination process,” Aiyenigba added.

Internal Crisis Rocks the SDP

This legal move follows ongoing internal turmoil within the SDP. On July 25, 2025, a new NWC led by Adamu Modibo emerged during an emergency NEC meeting in Abuja, with 23 state chairmen and the FCT chairman in attendance. Modibo, now serving as the Acting National Chairman, pledged to foster reconciliation and discipline within the party.

“A new disciplinary and reconciliation committee will be established to promote unity and address internal misconduct,” Modibo announced.

However, the faction loyal to Dr. Sadiq Abubakar rejected the legitimacy of the NEC meeting. Dr. Olu Agunloye, the party’s National Secretary aligned with the Abubakar camp, labeled the gathering “unconstitutional and irregular,” cautioning state chairmen against breaching the party’s constitution.

The crisis has led to several high-profile suspensions. On June 24, 2025, the faction under Shehu Gabam suspended:

• Gabam himself (former National Chairman),

• Nze Nnadi Clarkson (National Auditor), and

• Uchechukwu Chukwuma (National Youth Leader),

over alleged financial misconduct and unauthorized transactions.

Further escalating tensions, the SDP recently announced a 30-year expulsion of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, accusing him of false affiliation with the party while backing another political group in the state.