The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is one of Nigeria’s two main political parties, along with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party follows center-right policies and was Nigeria’s ruling party from 1999 to 2015.
It won every presidential election during this period but lost in 2015. However, some of these elections were controversial. The PDP was formed in 1998 and chose Olusegun Obasanjo as its first presidential candidate.
He won the 1999 election with Atiku Abubakar as his running mate. The party remained strong, winning legislative and presidential elections in 2003 and 2007. However, there were allegations of electoral fraud.
Yet, the PDP continued to dominate Nigerian politics, but by 2011, some members left to join opposition parties. Then, PDP candidate Goodluck Jonathan won the 2011 presidential election. The party later lost power in 2015.
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List Of PDP National Chairmen From 199 Till Date
No | Name | Took Office | Left Office |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alex Ekwueme | 1998 | 1999 |
2 | Solomon Lar | 1999 | 2001 |
3 | Barnabas Andyar Gemade | 2001 | 2005 |
4 | Audu Ogbeh | 2005 | 2006 |
5 | Ahmadu Ali | 2006 | 2008 |
6 | Vincent Eze Ogbulafor | 2008 | 2012 |
7 | Okwesilieze Nwodo | 2012 | 2014 |
8 | Haliru Mohammed Bello (Acting) | 2014 | 2014 |
9 | Kawu Baraje (Acting) | 2014 | 2015 |
10 | Bamanga Tukur | 2015 | 2016 |
11 | Adamu Mu'azu | 2016 | 2017 |
12 | Uche Secondus (Acting) | 2017 | 2017 |
13 | Ali Modu Sheriff | 2017 | 2018 |
14 | Ahmed Makarfi (Acting) | 2018 | 2021 |
15 | Uche Secondus | 2021 | 2023 |
16 | Iyorchia Ayu | 2021 | 2023 |
17 | Amb. Iliya Umar Damagun (Acting) | 2023 | 2024 |
18 | Yayari Ahmed Mohammed (Acting) | 2024 | Present |
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The First National Chairman Of The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Dr. Alexander Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme was the first National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Born on October 21, 1932, in Oko Town, Anambra State, he first gained national recognition when he became Nigeria’s first elected Vice President in 1979, serving under President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic.
However, his political career was cut short in 1983 when the military overthrew the government. Ekwueme was highly educated, earning multiple degrees in fields such as architecture, urban planning, sociology, history, philosophy, and law.
He studied in Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom. As an architect, he established Ekwueme Associates, the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria, which had offices across the country.
Aside from his professional career, he was dedicated to education and community service. He created an educational trust fund that helped many Nigerian students attend university.
In the 1990s, during Nigeria’s military rule, Ekwueme became a key figure in the fight for democracy. He led a group of 34 prominent Nigerians, known as the G-34, who openly opposed General Sani Abacha’s dictatorship. This movement was instrumental in the country’s transition to democracy.
Following the end of military rule, Ekwueme established the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and was its first National Chairman. He was also the first chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees. Ekwueme passed away on November 19, 2017, in London.
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The Current National Chairman Of The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is currently facing a leadership crisis, with different factions making conflicting decisions. On October 11, 2024, a faction of the PDP announced the appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed as the new acting National Chairman.
This move came after the suspension of the previous acting chairman, Umar Damagum, by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Earlier that day, the NWC led by Damagum had suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, over alleged anti-party activities.
In response, another faction of the NWC, aligned with the integrity group, announced the suspension of Damagum and the National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, for similar reasons.
The appointment of Yayari Ahmed Mohammed was confirmed in a statement released by Ologunagba, who represents the integrity faction. According to the statement, Mohammed’s appointment is following the PDP’s amended constitution of 2017 and takes effect immediately.
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Current Deputy National Chairman Of The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja is the current Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Representing the South, he was elected during the party’s national convention in October 2021. At that time, Iyorchia Ayu was the National Chairman.