ABUJA, NIGERIA — Amid the lingering leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the faction believed to be backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has intensified preparations for a national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, even as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde insists the party’s challenges will eventually pass .
The National Caretaker Working Committee of the faction, led by Mohammed Abdulrahman, on Tuesday inspected the Velodrome at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, which has been proposed as the venue for the convention . Addressing journalists after the inspection, Abdulrahman said the visit was part of efforts to ensure adequate arrangements ahead of the exercise.
“You can see for yourself, and that is why we are here this afternoon, to look at the venue of the national convention that is coming up on 29th and 30th March and to also examine the possibility of putting things in place before the date of the national convention,” Abdulrahman stated .
He noted that the recent Court of Appeal judgment, which nullified the party’s November 2025 convention held in Ibadan, had clarified the leadership situation within the party, affirming the caretaker committee as the recognised leadership pending the emergence of a new National Working Committee .
“We are not claiming that the victory is for any individual or group. It is a victory for all. We should all put our differences aside and work together for the progress of the party,” Abdulrahman added .
The faction’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, assured party members and aspirants seeking elective offices under the PDP platform that they had nothing to fear regarding the legitimacy of party processes. “All those who want to contest elections under the platform of the PDP should not be afraid. The Appeal Court has affirmed this Caretaker Working Committee, and by the time we hold our convention, we will have a full-fledged National Working Committee,” Anyanwu said .
Makinde: ‘We Are Only Two Remaining, But We Are Not Bothered’
Meanwhile, leaders of another bloc within the party, led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), held an expanded meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) to deliberate on the implications of the Appeal Court judgment and the future of the party .
Speaking at the meeting, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde acknowledged that the party was going through a difficult period, especially following the recent defection of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, which has left only Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as PDP governors .
“It’s a challenging period for us as leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is also a challenging period for democracy in Nigeria,” Makinde said .
The governor noted that the current political situation facing the PDP was unprecedented in the country’s democratic history. “I have been talking to people who have been involved in the political evolution of this country, and none of them have seen a political landscape like what we are witnessing today,” he stated .
Makinde, however, maintained that despite the challenges confronting the party, PDP leaders must remain steadfast. “We are only two remaining, but we are not bothered. I can say personally, and on behalf of my colleague, that when the story of this period is told and when the story of democracy in Nigeria is written, they will find us on the side of the people,” he said .
The governor expressed optimism that the crisis would eventually give way to better days, quoting scripture: “Weeping may endure for the night, but in the morning, joy cometh” .
BoT Views Judgment as Opportunity to ‘Begin Again’
Also speaking at the meeting, former Senate President and BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, said the party must find solutions to its challenges, noting that the Appeal Court judgment offers an opportunity for the PDP to reorganise .
According to Wabara, the Board of Trustees views the judgment as a directive for the party to “begin again” while strictly adhering to its constitution and the rule of law .
“We should be very brief with our thoughts. Once we get the briefing of this expanded process meeting, the Board will meet to take its decision,” Wabara stated .
Saraki, Akpoti-Uduaghan Call for Reconciliation
Meanwhile, former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has called on leaders and stakeholders of the PDP to bury their differences, accept the Court of Appeal verdict and focus on organising a fresh national convention that complies with INEC guidelines .
“My own position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by INEC, it is obvious that there is no time to wait for the Supreme Court decision. Otherwise, we would not meet the deadlines for completing the process of nominating candidates,” Saraki said .
Similarly, Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, urged party members to embrace reconciliation, describing the ruling as an opportunity to restore unity and strengthen internal democracy ahead of the 2027 elections .
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