PDP appoints Ben Obi as convention committee secretary after Mbah’s defection to APC

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named Senator Ben Obi as Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) for the 2025 Elective National Convention, replacing Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the NWC ratified Obi’s appointment on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

He described Obi, a former presidential adviser, as a seasoned politician with decades of experience in party administration.

The NCOC, chaired by Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, is expected to deliver a successful convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The wave of defections from the PDP has drawn mixed reactions, with Umar Sani, former media aide to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, saying the party remains unshaken.

He described Mbah’s defection as inconsequential, claiming Enugu has always been a PDP stronghold.

Meanwhile, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen accused the APC of using “undemocratic and coercive tactics” to destabilise the opposition, warning against a drift toward a one-party state.

The forum also suspended two state chairmen—Austine Nwachukwu (Imo) and Amah Abraham Nnana (Abia)—for filing a lawsuit to stop the convention. Edo PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi was appointed as the forum’s new leader.

The PDP Northern Support Group alleged that some NWC officials were plotting to derail preparations for the convention, accusing them of backing legal actions to frustrate the process.

The group urged members to prioritise unity and protect Nigeria’s democracy.

In a related development, Osun PDP chieftain Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji dismissed rumours that Governor Ademola Adeleke plans to join the APC, describing such reports as lies by political opponents.

He blamed the spate of defections on the lack of ideology in Nigerian politics and persistent economic hardship driving vote-buying and instability.