The Peoples Democratic Party has officially ratified its ward, local government, state and zonal congresses conducted across the country, in what party leaders described as a major step toward strengthening internal democracy and repositioning the party ahead of future elections.
The ratification followed the adoption of a motion moved by the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, during the just-concluded 2026 PDP National Convention held in Abuja.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by her media aide, Mike Idoko, who said the decision was endorsed unanimously by delegates at the convention, thereby validating party structures across affected states.
According to the statement, the ratification provides legal and political backing for party executives that emerged from the various congresses conducted at different levels nationwide. The move is expected to put to rest disputes arising from parallel congresses and leadership tussles in some states, which had previously threatened unity within the party.
Party stakeholders at the convention reportedly argued that the ratification was necessary to stabilise the party’s internal structure and allow it to focus on its role as a major opposition platform. The endorsement by delegates effectively recognises the outcomes of the congresses and grants legitimacy to officials elected during the process.
Speaking after the motion was adopted, Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised the importance of unity within the party, noting that the PDP must put its internal issues behind it and concentrate on strengthening its base across the country. She said the ratification was not just a procedural step but a strategic move aimed at consolidating the party’s structure from the grassroots to the national level.
Observers say the decision marks a significant step in the PDP’s ongoing internal reorganisation and reconciliation efforts following a period of internal disputes and factional disagreements in several state chapters. By formally recognising the outcomes of the congresses, the party leadership hopes to foster stability and create a more cohesive structure capable of mounting a strong challenge in future elections.
Political analysts believe the move is part of a broader strategy to prepare the party for the 2027 Nigerian general elections, which many see as crucial to the PDP’s chances of returning to power at the federal level. A stable internal structure, they argue, will be critical in candidate selection, campaign coordination and grassroots mobilisation.
The ratification also signals the party’s intention to move forward with reconciliatory efforts, as leaders continue consultations with aggrieved members in states where disputes arose during the congress process. Party officials say reconciliation committees will continue their work even after the convention to ensure that all factions are carried along.
With the formal endorsement of its congresses and leadership structures nationwide, the PDP leadership says the party is now better positioned to focus on policy development, opposition politics and electoral strategy as the political landscape gradually begins to shift toward the next general election cycle.
For many delegates at the convention, the unanimous adoption of the motion was seen as a demonstration of the party’s commitment to unity, internal democracy and organisational stability — key factors that will shape its performance in the years leading up to 2027.
