Despite a wave of defections and internal challenges, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, has dismissed fears of the collapse of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressing confidence in the party’s resilience ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in Jos at the PDP North Central Zonal Congress held at Langfield Leisure Park, Rayfield, on Saturday, Moro said the party remains strong and is on the path to recovery.
“I don’t believe that’s a likely outcome. Yes, defections have a ripple effect, and the initial shock can be significant. But after that, PDP members will regroup, recommit, and rededicate themselves to the cause. I am confident that the PDP is coming back stronger”he emphasized.
His comment follows recent speculation about the party’s future, with some analysts predicting the emergence of a one-party system in Nigeria.
The concerns were further stoked by high-profile defections, particularly in Delta State and at the National Assembly.
It would be recalled that former Benue State governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam, warned during a television interview that the PDP could cease to exist before the 2027 elections if its leadership fails to urgently resolve the internal crisis threatening the party’s unity.
But Senator Moro insisted that the Congress in Jos was part of the deliberate steps being taken to rejuvenate the party.
“These activities are all leading up to the national convention for the election of a brand new party leadership. With new leaders being elected from the ward to the local government, then to the state and now the zonal levels and eventually at the national convention, this process will breathe new life into the PDP. The party will continue to grow stronger and stronger.” He stated.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, who hosted the event, described the peaceful conduct of the Congress as evidence of the party’s deep commitment to internal democracy and unity.
“We have demonstrated that we are a people of peace, unity, and love—deeply committed to the ideals of the party,”
“We have concluded this Congress peacefully and honorably. To those who were asked to step down and graciously accepted your sacrifice will not be forgotten. The party appreciates your selflessness, and we recognize it as a sign of true loyalty and maturity.”He said.
Echoing the governor’s view, Hon. Christopher Audu Manship (Wallat), Chairman of Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area, said the event was a major milestone for party unity in the region.
“This event has been very orderly, peaceful, and successful. It has further united the party. Plateau has always been the heartbeat of the PDP—PDP is Plateau, and Plateau is PDP,” he said.
“No individual can destroy the PDP. It’s the biggest party in Africa, and what we are witnessing here in Jos is just the beginning of what will continue nationwide. The PDP is here to stay.”
Delegates from the six North Central states—Plateau, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Kogi—as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, participated in the Congress, which produced a new zonal executive to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years.
Chairman of the Congress Electoral Committee, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), declared Abdulraman Muhammed as the new PDP North Central Zonal Chairman, having polled 526 votes to defeat his rival, Abraham Ajiya, who scored 18 votes.
Alhassan Nda Gana also emerged as the new youth leader with 539 votes.While elections were held for the positions of zonal chairman and youth leader, ten other offices, including ex-officio positions, were filled unopposed.
In his acceptance speech, the new zonal chairman, Abdulraman Muhammed, promised to work tirelessly to reposition the PDP in the region.
“We will not betray the mandate given to us. Our focus is clear PDP must reclaim all the states in this zone and return to power at the national level”he noted.
The zonal Congress forms part of the larger strategy leading to the PDP’s national convention, where new national leaders are expected to emerge to steer the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
