By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
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.
| No | Name | Assumed 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 | Present |