PDP reshuffles convention team after gale of defections

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approved the appointment of Senator Ben Obi as secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) for the 2025 elective national convention.

Obi replaces Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu, who held the position before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.

The convention is scheduled to hold from November 15 to 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, Debo Ologunagba, PDP national publicity secretary, said the appointment was ratified by the NWC on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

He said Obi, a former presidential adviser, brings to the role decades of experience in party administration and national politics.

The NWC expressed confidence in the capacity of the NCOC, chaired by Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, to deliver a successful convention.

The development comes amid rising defections from the PDP, including those of Governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa and Peter Mbah of Enugu, both of whom recently joined the APC.