The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced a fresh round of internal party activities aimed at strengthening its structure ahead of the party’s national convention.
Party officials confirmed that the Bayelsa PDP Congress process is underway, starting with ward congresses and continuing with local government and state congresses in the coming days.
According to party leaders, the Bayelsa PDP Congress timetable began with the ward-level exercise conducted across the state.
The congresses were held in the 105 wards spread across Bayelsa’s local government areas, marking the first stage in the party’s broader organisational process.
The congresses are designed to elect or reaffirm party officials at various levels and ensure the PDP’s internal structure remains active and functional.
Party leaders described the ward exercise as peaceful and well coordinated, noting that members turned out in large numbers to participate.
Chairman of the Bayelsa PDP Caretaker Committee, George Turnah, spoke to journalists at Kolo, the headquarters of Ogbia Ward 9, where he explained that the Bayelsa PDP Congress process is part of a nationwide exercise currently taking place in several states.
Turnah said the ward congress represented the starting point of the party’s internal reorganisation, which will be followed by other levels of congresses within the party structure.
According to him, the next stage of the process will be the local government congresses scheduled for March 7, while the state congress will take place on March 14.
These steps, he explained, are essential for preparing the party for its upcoming national convention.
He further revealed that similar congresses are taking place in about 16 states across Nigeria.
The exercise, he said, is being conducted in compliance with a court directive that instructed the party to complete its internal congresses before organising the national convention.
Turnah emphasised that the Bayelsa PDP Congress was conducted smoothly in all the wards, adding that party members demonstrated strong commitment to the PDP’s ideals and organisational growth.
He praised the level of participation witnessed during the ward congresses, describing it as evidence that the party continues to maintain a strong grassroots presence in the state.
Political observers in Bayelsa have noted that the PDP has historically enjoyed significant support in the state, and the turnout at the congresses appears to reinforce that perception.
Party leaders say the ongoing congress process will help consolidate the PDP’s position ahead of future political contests.
Responding to suggestions that the party might have weakened in Bayelsa, Turnah rejected the claim and insisted that the PDP remains deeply rooted in the state’s political landscape.
He said anyone who did not witness the exercise might mistakenly assume that the party had lost its influence, but the turnout during the congress clearly showed that the party remains active and vibrant.
Turnah described the PDP as an “organic” political organisation with strong ties to its members and supporters across Bayelsa State.
According to him, the PDP’s structure and support network are so deeply embedded in the state that it would be difficult for any political force to displace it.
“If you are not present here today, you might believe there is no longer a PDP in Bayelsa State. But what you have seen clearly shows the opposite.
“The PDP is organic and strongly supported by our people. With that level of backing, it would be difficult for anyone to take the party away from us,” he said.
The caretaker committee chairman also addressed concerns about disagreements within the party, stating that differences of opinion are natural in any large political organisation.
He noted that the PDP is made up of individuals with diverse ambitions, interests, and ideological perspectives, which can sometimes lead to internal debates.
However, he stressed that such differences should not be interpreted as a crisis.
Turnah explained that the role of party leadership is to manage these disagreements responsibly and ensure that unity is maintained.
“PDP is a very large political family. It brings together people from different backgrounds who naturally have varying ambitions and ideas.
“Leadership is about ensuring that whenever there is turbulence, it is managed properly so that peace and stability return,” he said.
He also used the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whom he commended for what he described as his efforts to sustain the party at the national level.
Turnah said leaders like Wike have played important roles in maintaining the PDP’s visibility and organisational strength across Nigeria.
As preparations for the national convention continue, party leaders say the Bayelsa PDP Congress process is expected to further consolidate the party’s internal structures and reinforce unity among members.
They also expressed optimism that the ongoing congresses will help reposition the party for future political engagements while strengthening its presence at both the state and national levels.
For the PDP in Bayelsa, the successful conduct of these congresses is seen as a key step toward maintaining political stability within the party and ensuring that its organisational framework remains effective ahead of the national convention.
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