Wike-backed PDP fixes March 28–29 National Convention in Abuja

The Abdulrahman-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pencilled down March 28 and 29, 2026, for its long-anticipated National Convention in Abuja, a step expected to usher in a substantive National Working Committee (NWC) and finally draw the curtain on the party’s lingering leadership turmoil.

The decision was formally endorsed at the PDP’s 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday. According to the meeting’s communiqué, NEC members undertook broad consultations, particularly reviewing recent court rulings and the party’s internal administrative procedures, before settling on the dates.

In the communiqué jointly signed by the National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Muhammed, and the committee’s Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the NEC unanimously reiterated its recognition of the Muhammed-led Caretaker Committee as the PDP’s sole legitimate national administrative body.

The NEC anchored its resolution on a recent Federal High Court judgment delivered in Ibadan, describing it as central to the party’s current direction.

The communiqué noted that NEC “welcomed and affirmed the judgment, which upheld the legality of the Party’s leadership and administrative arrangements.”

It further stressed that “NEC resolved that all Party organs, members, and stakeholders shall continue to act strictly in obedience to subsisting court judgments and judicial directives,” underscoring the party’s insistence on adherence to legal pronouncements.

With the legal hurdles addressed, NEC approved an accelerated schedule of congresses ahead of the national convention. Under the new timetable, Ward Congresses are slated for February 2026, Local Government Congresses will also take place in February 2026, while State Congresses are fixed for March 2026.

To ensure compliance, NEC instructed the National Caretaker Committee to roll out comprehensive guidelines for the conduct of the congresses “in strict compliance with the PDP Constitution, INEC Regulations, and judicial directives.”

In addition, the tenure of the existing National, State, and Zonal Caretaker Committees was extended to supervise the entire process until new party officials emerge from the congresses and the national convention.

The communiqué also revealed that “NEC mandated the National Caretaker Committee to immediately activate Convention Sub-Committees and commence full logistical, administrative, and consultative preparations to ensure a transparent, inclusive, and credible Convention.”

NEC appealed to party members nationwide to refrain from activities that could further strain internal unity, urging them to prioritise the PDP’s collective interest over individual ambitions.

The party leadership expressed optimism that the resolutions adopted at the meeting “will strengthen internal democracy, restore stability, and reposition the Party for future electoral success.”