Delegates from Kebbi, Ekiti, Bauchi and several other states on Sunday drove proceedings at the 2026 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The event was held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, where the party unveiled 19 members of its National Working Committee (NWC) as part of efforts to reposition the opposition platform.
The PDP Constitution (2017, as amended) provides for a 19-member NWC, outlining its structure and responsibilities.
Part VIII lists positions including the National Chairman, two Deputy National Chairmen, National Secretary and Deputy, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Organising Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Auditor, Legal Adviser, Woman Leader, Youth Leader, and National Vice Chairmen.
The Wike-backed camp had adopted a consensus approach in selecting the officials, who will manage the party’s affairs for the next four years.
List Of Newly Elected NWC Members
Over 2,500 delegates endorsed the nominees, including Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman; Aaron Chukwuemeka (Deputy National Chairman, South); Yusufu Akirikwen (SAN) (Deputy National Chairman, North); Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary); Kolawale Olabisi (Deputy National Secretary); Odeyemei Oladiran (National Treasurer); and Lado Marke (Deputy National Treasurer).
Others are Eyim Henry (National Financial Secretary); Dr Grema Kyari (Deputy National Financial Secretary); Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary); Efere Augustine (Deputy National Organising Secretary); Jungudo Mohammed (National Publicity Secretary); Egwu Chidiebere (Deputy National Publicity Secretary); Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) (National Legal Adviser); Aloysius Uba (Deputy National Legal Adviser); Osuoha Donatus (National Auditor); Dr Adaba Yatu (Deputy National Auditor); Ibrahim Aboki (National Youth Leader); and Momoh Bashir (Deputy National Youth Leader).
Prof. Ogunshe Adedayo emerged as National Woman Leader, with Hauwa Shinge as her deputy.
Mixed Reactions And Boycott By Some States
Participation at the convention reflected both unity and division. Delegates from Benue, Ekiti and Ogun states attended, while Edo, Oyo and some other states stayed away.
In Sokoto, divisions deepened as a group loyal to the acting National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, ignored the boycott directive and participated in the convention.
The Gombe State chapter chairman, Maj. Gen. Mamman Kwaskebe (retd.), said the state did not attend due to unresolved issues, while Edo State chairman Tony Aziegbemi described the convention as illegal, citing a pending Supreme Court case.
Calls For Reconciliation Among Party Leaders
Amid the tensions, key figures, including former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, new National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, Nyesom Wike, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and ex-Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, called for unity and reconciliation.
Ikpeazu said reconciliation was essential to the party’s future, urging members to rebuild trust and strengthen internal democracy.
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Abdulrahman Mohammed described the convention as a turning point aimed at restoring order and stability, urging members to put the party above personal interests.
Saraki called on aggrieved members to join the process, noting that the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission validated the convention and positioned the PDP for the 2027 elections.
Wike commended party members for remaining loyal despite the crisis and urged renewed commitment to unity and inclusiveness.
State Chapters Express Divergent Positions
In Ogun State, PDP Secretary, Dr Sunday Solarin, confirmed that some members attended the convention, while others aligned with the Turaki faction stayed away, noting that reconciliation efforts were ongoing.
In Ekiti, a faction led by former governor Ayo Fayose participated, with its chairman, Lanre Omolase, insisting the gathering represented the authentic PDP.
Delegates from Benue, led by former governor Samuel Ortom, and Kebbi State officials also confirmed participation, while a rival group in Sokoto led by Abubakar Danmafara rejected claims of a boycott.
Bauchi Moves To Resolve Internal Crisis
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has set up a consultative committee to address lingering disputes in the state chapter and prepare for the 2027 elections.
The state chairman, Samaila Burga, said the committee had been given one week to resolve all issues.
Background To The PDP Leadership Crisis
The PDP crisis, which has lasted nearly three years, split the party into rival factions. The governors’ bloc, backed by Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, held a separate convention in Ibadan in November, producing its own NWC led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
The Wike faction later constituted a caretaker committee in December, with Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting chairman pending a substantive convention.
On March 9, the Court of Appeal upheld a Federal High Court ruling nullifying the Ibadan convention for breaching the Electoral Act and party rules, while urging all sides to seek an amicable resolution.
Despite ongoing legal efforts at the Supreme Court to stop the Abuja gathering, the Wike bloc proceeded with the convention, where about 2,500 delegates endorsed the new National Working Committee.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
