PDP regains strength after Ibadan convention, George says
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, has expressed optimism about the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that it has undergone a “rebirth” following its November 2025 national convention in Ibadan.
According to a report by Punch newspaper, George made the remarks on Friday at the inauguration of new party executives in Lagos. In a speech delivered on his behalf and later made public, the PDP stalwart said the Ibadan convention marked a turning point for the party, restoring confidence among members and supporters nationwide.
According to him, the convention signaled a fresh beginning reminiscent of the enthusiasm that greeted the party’s founding in 1998. He described the PDP as a resilient platform that has weathered internal and external challenges over the years.
George maintained that the PDP remains a formidable political force across the country, insisting that no emerging coalition could match its national spread or acceptability. He said the party continues to offer opportunities for members and is best positioned to serve the interests of Nigerians.
The former Deputy National Chairman of the party also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the PDP through alleged pressure on its elected officials to defect. Despite this, he insisted that the PDP remains the only truly national political party in Nigeria.
He pointed to the conduct of the party’s ward, council and state congresses, as well as the national convention, as evidence of its commitment to internal democracy. In contrast, he criticised the APC’s internal processes, alleging that its leadership emerged through imposition rather than transparent procedures.
George further alleged that the APC was using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to undermine the PDP’s gains after the Ibadan convention, though he did not provide specific details.
Reflecting on the political climate since 2015, when the APC assumed power at the federal level, George said many Nigerians were dissatisfied and would use the 2027 elections to effect change. He expressed confidence in the party’s National Working Committee, led by Kabiru Turaki, to reposition the PDP ahead of the polls.
