DG's ROADMAP

General Introduction

This Roadmap presents the general overview of the nature, scope, workings and the general goal of the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI). This document also provides the strategic guide, vision and mission towards achieving the institute’s set goals and mandate.Amongst so many pursuits towards democratic gains, the PDI’s fundamental goal is to promote, deepen and sustain Democracy in Nigeria and Africa at large. It is also specific that the PDI serves as a Centre of Excellence for Research, Training, Leadership building and Good Governance. The PDI is the Peoples Democratic Party’s intellectual and policy Resource Centre.

The PDI is NOT a governmental organisation. It will however, function as a stakeholder in the global democratic space, contributing towards democratic growth, through collaboration with distinguished partners from both government and non-governmental organisations to develop skills and capacities to engage the policy process as stipulated by the Nigeria constitution, the PDP’s constitution and international democratic principles and conventions.

With the employment of the new Director-General, it’s a new dawn at the PDI and it is expected that our parent body, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ALL her stakeholders, will rise to the occasion and provide the necessary funding for giving the institute a smooth take-off. The PDI, under my watch, will in no distant time, become self-financing like other democratic institutes, world over.  

The PDI, under my leadership, will vigorously source for funds and incomes through all legitimate means, such as rendering services, value addition, consultancy, grant writing, advocacy, training/certification and donor supports. This will, at the long run, make the PDI financially self-sustaining and established as she deepens Democracy in Nigeria and Africa. This document of strategic plans is put in three (3) segments of whose actions will take place interchangeably. The segments are:

  1. Participatory Actions for Deepening Democracy
  2. Party Development/Support Programmes
  3. Funds Generation for PDI self- sustenance.

Edward Ugbada Adie, Ph.D, mSonta, fFahsanu

Director-General, Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI)

Our Vision

To be the most prestigious Institute for democracy research, education, training, capacity building, and documentation on democratic phenomena such as leadership, good governance, accountability, etc in Nigeria.

Our Mission

To promote a new democratic culture in Nigeria and Africa through the provision of value-added education, training, capacity building, research and documentation programmes. 

Our Aim

The Peoples Democratic Institute is principally aimed at deepening democracy and serving as the intellectual hub of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The PDI Participatory Actions Towards Deepening Democracy.

 Special attention will be given to the following:

1. Voter Education

a. The PDI will undertake a comprehensive Voter Education Campaign as part of its contributions towards successful general elections. And for all off circle elections in Nigeria. We shall utilize a multimedia approach to implement this program. This will include jingles, advertorials, social media and interpersonal channels such as Community Theatre, Theatre for Development, town hall meetings etc in the various physical and virtual communities.

b. Civic Education Program with emphasis in Voter Education and Mobilization. This will be divided into (1) School Based Civic Education (2) Community-Focused Civic Education. (We shall collaborate with the following bodies in this regard.

  • Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council
  • The National Universities Commission
  • The National Commission for colleges of Education
  • National Teachers Institute
  • Federal and State Ministries of Education
  • Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools
  • National Union of Teachers
  • Civil society organisations
  • Relevant Donor 0rganisations such as T.Y Danjuma Foundation, Tony Elumelu foundation etc.

c. We shall partner with governmental and non-governmental organizations with similar aims and objectives for the ultimate interest of deepening democracy and good governance.

d. We shall work with all less-privileged and privileged political groups, especially women and youth with a view to enhance their competences, competitiveness and political smartness to enable them discharge their political rights and responsibilities. We shall promote Gender mainstreaming/balancing

e. The PDI will participate in monitoring of elections in Nigeria/ other African countries and elsewhere in order to encourage the attainment of free and fair elections.

f. Through research, we shall proffer solutions to intra/inter party conflicts situations in the political process at all levels.

g. The PDI shall engage in advocacy for democratic reforms, good governance and the protection of human rights to Governments and governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, Civil Society Organisations, and democratic institutions like INEC.

h. Create publicity for good governance, leadership, accountability, socio-economic growth at federal and state levels. This will encourage our leaders to do well in office and create mentorship for young and emerging leaders.

i. Organise public Debate for Party Aspirants. This will help in informing the electorate on their choices during elections.

j. The institute will from June 12, 2025 begin its annual Democracy lecture series. The essence of this aspect in the PDI’s Roadmap is the opportunity it provides to bring together members of the political class and the academia to discuss topical issues of interest to democracy, economy, good governance. Special presentations will be made by a scholar of international repute or by outstanding state’s men. Monographs of the public lectures will be produced.

k. We shall work hard to increase the participation level of people with disability and the youth in political space in Nigeria.

2. Research

a. The PDI will carry out research and produce data on all aspects of the political culture and political socialisation of Nigerians in other to support the different elements that will enhance positive growth in the democracy of our country.

b. We shall conduct research and document the experience of the PDP in opposition, how to come out of opposition and how to sustain being in power.

c. The PDI will carry out researches on socio-economic policies of Government, analyse and publish elicited data that can inform Nigerians.

d. PDI will become a reliable and verifiable data providing institution in Nigeria and Africa.

e. We shall float a journal that will publish findings from Democracy Researches twice in a year (PDI JOURNAL OF DEMOCRACY STUDIES).

3. Party Development/Support Programmes

a. Organise Workshops and Symposia to brainstorm and articulate how our party’s manifestos can bring about visionary and sustainable socio-economic, political growth and development in Nigeria in a strategic trajectory that can make Nigeria become a world class economy.

b. Provide Capacity building workshops for all PDP staff in their various areas of competences.

c. The PDI will train the PDP Youth Leaders, Ward Chairmen, Women Leaders, Chapter Chairmen, Party caucuses at all levels, Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, Legislators, and Governors etc on various strategic studies for Good Governance, Accountability, Development Studies, Security, Statistics,

d. The Institute will provide training for members of the National Assembly (Legislators) on Law Making, Legislative Drafting, Budgetary Procedure and Oversight Functions, Political Ideology, Economics, Nigerian Geography and Demography, Fiscal and Monetary Policies, and Expenditure, Critical Thinking and thinking out of the box for sustainable development. National unity and Peace building etc.

e. PDI Shall provide periodic workshops for members of the National Working Committee and the Board of Trustees of PDP and any other willing political party with a view to preparing them

f. The PDI shall make meaningful contributions towards the operations of all units and department of the party

g. The PDI shall proffer solutions towards intra-party crises and conflict resolution mechanism

The essence of the above actions is to achieve the following:

    I. Ensure that all aspirants of the PDP understand and accept the Programs/Policies of the party and their underlining value.

   ii. Ensure that all aspirants of the party share a common vision with the party to such an extent that they will be guided by this vision and underlining philosophy once elected.

    iii. Blend the different political tendencies into one major political tendency with a common philosophy under the PDP.

   iv. Getting the electorate to know their aspirants and what they stand for. This will provide information that will guide the electorate in decision making during elections.

4. PDI Development/Funds Generation For Self-Sustenance

  1. The PDI MUST first of all be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the relevant Departments of the Federal Ministry of Education. Without these, the Institute will not be accredited and qualified to carry out its set mandate. To be recognised by international and local organisations and to support collaboration and support, the PDI must be duly registered.
  2. Since an organisation is as good as its website and data bank, the PDI will build an interactive organisational website where every information about what PDI does can be visible to the world. This brings credibility, reliability and visibility. Over the years, the PDI has been without a website and this is ridiculous. We have to build organisational emails for both institute and staff.
  3. The PDI will organise training and workshops which will culminate in certification for stakeholders, politicians, political party executives, elected representatives and appointed functionaries. Others are private operators in the different spheres of business, media practitioners, electoral agencies, researchers and analyst as well as the electora
  4. The PDI shall vigorously seek/write for grants, sponsorship/donations to facilitate the PDI’s activities. This will help in the area of financing the institute.
  5. We shall establish PDI social media TV for the promotion of our party, its gains and achievements through all the social media apps. This will capture the teaming youthful population of Nigeria, cutting across all strata.
  6. We shall set up physical and electronic libraries to facilitate research in PDI. People can come and take advantage of our rich physical and e-library. Our libraries will be open to politicians, researchers and technocrats for their study.
  7. PDI, under my leadership, shall work towards achieving State government offices. This will support research, mass mobilisation and grassroot participation.

5. Funding

The Peoples Democratic Institute should at the first instance, be given a take-off fund for its recurrent and capital expenditures programmes. This is expected from the Peoples Democratic Party who is the establisher of the PDI and all stakeholders. The budget which is a component of this roadmap provides an idea of what the PDI requires for take-off.

May I reiterate that under my leadership as Director-General, the PDI will engage in legitimate research, training and grant writing activities that will help in her funding.  The institute has numerous capacities to generate enough funds from in and out of this country.  We shall embark on purposeful and organised fund-raising activities which are geared towards deepening democracy and projecting our party, the PDP through fees for courses, training, donor support, grants, workshops, annual lectures and other fund-raising activities.

 I propose that The Peoples Democratic Party should invest heavily in the PDI and see it as an investment like parties all over the world do.

 The PDI has to build its staff base recruiting thirty (30) very competent persons whose competences are needed to help the PDI achieve set goals.  The offices are indicated in the budget.