With peaceful elections across 226 wards, the Adamawa PDP grassroots congresses signal renewed strength for the party, according to Chief Gebon Kataps.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State has concluded its grassroots congresses with resounding success, drawing praise from the Chairman of the PDP Ward Congress Committee, Chief Gebon Kataps.
His endorsement of the process is being viewed as a significant boost for the party as it rebuilds its foundation across Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists in Yola on Saturday after monitoring the exercise, Kataps confirmed that the Adamawa PDP grassroots congresses were conducted peacefully across all 226 wards of the state.
He said the exercise recorded no major incidents, describing the outcome as proof of the party’s enduring strength and commitment to internal democracy.
“The congresses went smoothly in all wards of the state. We did not record any serious disturbances or irregularities, which shows the commitment of our members to the ideals of the PDP,” Kataps stated.
He explained that the newly elected grassroots executives would play a critical role in reconnecting the party with its base.
Kataps noted that the Adamawa exercise formed part of the PDP’s nationwide ward congresses, which are designed to elect leaders at the community level.
These officials, he said, are essential in mobilizing members, resolving local disputes, and preparing the ground for larger contests at state and national levels.
Analysts describe grassroots congresses as the “engine room” of Nigerian politics, since elections are won and lost at the community level.
For the PDP, the peaceful conduct of the Adamawa congresses sends a message of readiness and unity at a time when the party is battling internal divisions in some other states.
While celebrating the success of the congresses, Kataps admitted that the PDP is facing significant challenges.
Some, he said, were self-inflicted, while others were instigated by forces bent on destabilizing the party.
Yet, he maintained that the PDP’s deep roots in Nigeria’s political history give it an edge to overcome its difficulties.
“Yes, we are facing our fair share of challenges at the moment—some self-inflicted and others caused by those seeking to destabilize the party.
“But I can assure you, the PDP is a party that is deeply rooted in Nigeria,” he affirmed.
Kataps stressed that Nigerians still associate the PDP with leadership experience and popular governance, pointing to the example of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa.
He argued that the confidence of voters in PDP-led states remains a reminder of the party’s relevance and its ability to bounce back nationally.
The committee chairman also projected that the PDP would soon re-emerge as a major force at the national level.
He recalled that the party, which once governed Nigeria for 16 years, continues to produce successful governors across the country.
“The PDP remains in the hearts of the people because Nigerians love it. The PDP will rise again,” he declared.
Observers in Adamawa share this optimism, noting that the smooth conduct of the congresses could inspire other states to prioritize transparency in their own processes.
By showing discipline and unity at the grassroots, the PDP is signaling to supporters nationwide that it is still capable of credible internal reforms.
The success of the Adamawa PDP grassroots congresses goes beyond local politics. Political commentators argue that grassroots credibility will be vital if the PDP hopes to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in future elections.
They point out that while the PDP has suffered electoral setbacks since 2015, it remains one of Nigeria’s most experienced political institutions.
The conduct of the ward elections in Adamawa is therefore seen as an early test of whether the party can reconcile its factions and reposition itself as a viable alternative to the APC.
A political analyst in Yola explained: “What we are seeing in Adamawa is more than a routine congress. It is about trust-building, and it shows the PDP still understands that politics begins at the grassroots.”
For party faithful in Adamawa, the congresses have provided a renewed sense of belonging.
Newly elected ward leaders are expected to begin immediate mobilization, particularly in rural communities, where voter loyalty often determines election outcomes.
The challenge, however, lies in sustaining this momentum.
The PDP must avoid factional disputes, ensure fair inclusion of all interest groups, and deliver on its promise of transparency.
Failure to do so, analysts warn, could undermine the gains made during the exercise.
Nonetheless, Chief Kataps remains confident. In his closing remarks, he reaffirmed that the PDP is far from finished: “The PDP remains in the hearts of Nigerians, and without doubt, the party will rise again.”
The endorsement of the Adamawa PDP grassroots congresses by Kataps is therefore not only a seal of approval for the state chapter but also a signal of the party’s determination to reclaim relevance on the national stage.