A faction of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has announced plans to hold a national convention on March 28 and 29 to elect new party leaders.
The move follows a series of court rulings that have deepened divisions within the opposition party and placed its leadership structure under legal scrutiny ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was taken at a National Executive Committee meeting held Monday night at Wike’s residence in Abuja, according to a statement issued after the gathering.
Speaking on behalf of the faction, Publicity Secretary Haruna Mohammed said ward and local government congresses would take place in February, followed by state congresses in March.
He said the plans were consistent with party rules, electoral laws, and existing court judgments.
Mohammed stated that all actions taken were in line with resolutions of the committee and remained valid under the PDP constitution, Nigeria’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and binding judicial pronouncements.
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The committee also confirmed the extension of the tenure of the National Caretaker Working Committee, chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed, as well as caretaker committees at state and zonal levels until the convention is held.
The PDP has been mired in a leadership dispute that threatens its cohesion as it attempts to rebuild after losing power nationally.
Last week, a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the party’s national convention held in November 2025 that produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman.
In his ruling, Justice Uche Agomoh held that the caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary, remains the only recognised national leadership of the party pending a valid convention.
The court barred Turaki and other officials elected at the annulled convention from presenting themselves as party officers.
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Turaki’s camp has since said it instructed its legal team to file an appeal against the judgment.
Earlier rulings from Federal High Courts in Abuja had restrained the PDP from holding the convention, citing alleged violations of the constitution and party guidelines, including a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido.
However, an Oyo State High Court later cleared the party to proceed and directed the electoral commission to supervise the exercise, creating conflicting legal interpretations.
Addressing party members at the NEC meeting, Wike dismissed suggestions that the PDP was in decline and urged supporters to focus on grassroots organisation.
He said the party should not be treated as a charity organisation and insisted it remained a strong political force despite internal disputes.
Wike told members to return to ward and polling unit levels to rebuild trust and structure, adding that sustained pressure from rivals would not weaken the faction’s resolve.
He also expressed confidence in the group’s legal and organising teams as preparations for the congresses and convention move forward.
