A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fixed 28 and 29 March for its national convention, where its new leaders will be elected.
Additionally, the side, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, planned state congresses for March and ward and local government congresses for February.
Following the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which took place Monday evening at Mr. Wike’s Abuja home, a communiqué was released announcing the conclusions.
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Haruna Mohammed, the faction’s publicity secretary, read the communiqué and stated that every action was done strictly in accordance with the PDP constitution, the rules of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and current court rulings.
“That all actions taken, pursuant to the 104th NEC resolutions, remain binding, lawful and operative, having been taken in strict compliance with the PDP Constitution (as amended), the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act, and relevant judicial pronouncements,” the communique stated.
The National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) and various state and zonal caretaker committees have had their terms extended by the NEC, pending the outcome of the national convention and congresses.
Court ruling recognising Wike’s faction
The PDP, Nigeria’s former ruling party, has been engulfed in a deep factional crisis that could threaten its survival in the 2027 general elections if reconciliation efforts fail.
If efforts at reconciliation are unsuccessful, the PDP, Nigeria’s previous ruling party, may not survive the next elections in 2027 due to a severe factional dispute.
A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, declared last Friday that the party’s national convention, which took place from November 15–16, 2025, and elected Kabiru Turaki as its National Chairman, was invalid.
The court, Uche Agomoh, ruled that, until a legitimate national convention is convened, the caretaker committee headed by Mr. Mohammed and with Samuel Anyanwu serving as National Secretary continues to be the only acknowledged National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.
The judge prohibited Mr. Turaki and other politicians chosen at the convention from posing as national officers of the party, ruling that the convention was held in blatant violation of two ongoing court rulings.
The Turaki-led NWC responded by announcing that it has instructed its solicitors to appeal the Ibadan court ruling.
The PDP was previously prevented from hosting the convention by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which was presided over by James Omotosho, on the grounds that it would be against the Nigerian Constitution.
Read Also: The deepening PDP crisis and the Wike bloc plan for a March convention
The convention was also suspended by Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja after a lawsuit was filed by Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, who claimed that he was not allowed to purchase a nomination form to run for the party’s chairmanship, in violation of PDP rules.
On November 4, 2025, however, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, ruled over by A.L. Akintola, gave the party permission to move on with the convention and instructed INEC to oversee the process.
PDP not charity organisation – Wike
The convention was also suspended by Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja after a lawsuit was filed by Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, who claimed that he was not allowed to purchase a nomination form to run for the party’s chairmanship, in violation of PDP rules.
On November 4, 2025, however, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, ruled over by A.L. Akintola, gave the party permission to move on with the convention and instructed INEC to oversee the process.
“Forget the idea that PDP is a charity organisation. PDP remains a formidable political force despite its current challenges. PDP is too strong, very strong. We must capitalise on what we have and move forward.
“They will not give up until they believe you are destroyed, but I will not be destroyed; you will not be destroyed. Let us move forward,” Mr Wike said.
Time for reconciliation, unity – BoT
In response, Mao Ohuabunwa, the Chairman of the faction’s Board of Trustees (BoT), emphasised that unity should take precedence over protracted legal disputes and stated that the time for reconciliation had arrived.
Mr. Ohuabunwa encouraged Mr. Turaki and other officials to abdicate their positions in accordance with the court’s decision, which confirmed the Wike-led group as the PDP’s legitimate leadership.
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“With the legal fog lifting, the focus must now shift to reconciliation, rebuilding trust and laying the groundwork for orderly congresses and a credible national convention.
“The PDP chose legality over expediency and patience over provocation. History will judge the party kindly for upholding the rule of law,” he said.
Reiterating the BoT and National Caretaker Committee’s dedication to unity, respect for court decisions, and preparations for outstanding congresses prior to the national convention, he expressed confidence that the party would overcome its internal crisis.
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