Against all expectations, the PDP camp loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike successfully elected members of its National Working Committee on Sunday, marking a fresh start for a party that has faced challenges lately.

Over 2,500 delegates from across the thirty-six states and the FCT allegedly participated in the process, witnessed by a powerful delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission. Among those present were prominent party leaders such as former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, and former Kaduna Governor Ahmed Makarfi.

The convention elected Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu as substantive national chairman and national secretary, respectively. The election of Abdulrahman and Anyanwu, along with 19 other members of the new national working committee of the PDP, came through consensus at the party’s 2026 national convention held at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Sunday.

The elected members of the national working committee, with other national positions, were affirmed by over 2,500 delegates as follows: National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed; Deputy National Chairman (South), Aaron Chukwuemeka; Deputy National Chairman (North), Yusufu Akirikwen (SAN); National Secretary, Anyanwu Samuel; Deputy National Secretary, Kolawale Olabisi; National Treasurer, Odeyemi Oladiran; and Deputy National Treasurer, Lado Marke.

Other officers are National Financial Secretary, Eyim Henry; Deputy National Financial Secretary, Dr Grema Kyari; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; and Deputy National Organising Secretary, Efere Augustine. Others are National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed; Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Egwu Chidiebere; National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); Deputy National Legal Adviser, Aloysius Uba; National Auditor, Osuoha Donatus; Deputy National Auditor, Dr Adaba Yatu; National Youth Leader, Ibrahim Aboki; and Deputy National Youth Leader, Momoh Bashir.

The positions of the National Women Leader went to Prof. Ogunshe Adedayo, while the Deputy National Women Leader is Hauwa Shinge.

According to the organisers of the convention and the election, the positions were occupied based on the provisions of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), which provides for a 19-member NWC at the national level, outlining its structure and responsibilities within the party’s leadership framework. According to Part VIII of the Constitution, the National Working Committee comprises the National Chairman, two Deputy National Chairmen, the National Secretary and Deputy National Secretary, the National Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, the Organising Secretary, the Publicity Secretary, the Auditor, the Legal Adviser, the Woman Leader, and the Youth Leader, as well as the National Vice Chairmen.

Speaking after his affirmation as the substantive chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, who was the former PDP National Vice-Chairman, North Central, called on members to embrace inclusiveness as the party repositions itself for the 2027 general elections.

“Today, we choose a higher path. We choose inclusiveness over exclusion, unity over division; we choose renewal over decline,” Mohammed stated at the 2026 PDP National Convention, which was held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, on Sunday.

“The PDP has not come here to mourn itself; the PDP has come here to renew itself. This convention is therefore not just about the election; this convention is about restoration and order, not just about position.

“Distinguished delegates, this is not an official day. Today is a moment of reflection, a moment of responsibility, and above all, a moment of renewal. We gather here after a difficult session, a session of disagreement and legal contestation, a session that tested the strength and soul of this party,” he added.

One Party Two NWCs

With the election of the Mohammed-led national working committee of the Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party and the existing national working committee of the Seyi Makinde-backed faction, the party still remains in turmoil due to a leadership crisis, thereby raising questions about its future as the general polls are approaching.

This development has further thrown the party into another reflection of a deeper struggle for control between factions aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and those opposed to his influence, including the Kabiru Turaki-led faction.

Both factions have parallel leadership structures and claim legitimacy. The result is a party now operating with two centres of authority, each issuing directives and laying claim to the PDP’s national identity. This is thereby raising the question of who the representative of the party would be in the future.

Meanwhile, the most pressing concern is the impact of the crisis on the 2027 general elections, as the PDP risks facing difficulties in actively opposing the current ruling party under the presidency of Bola Tinubu. Although Nysome Wike has assured the party and his allies that the party will remain on the ballot, the uncertainty surrounding legal recognition and internal cohesion might prevent the party from competing actively in the elections as expected.

Reconciliation Not Foreclosed

Although the national convention was a success, Barr Nyesom Wike, who is referred to as the National Leader of the PDP, stated that reconciliation with the Tanimu Turaki faction of the PDP is still possible.

Although the convention was boycotted by the remaining two PDP governors—Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State—as well as members of the Board of Trustees led by Senator Adolphus Wabara and the Forum of State Chairmen led by Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP in Edo State and Chairman of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, the proceedings continued as scheduled without acknowledging the absence of these individuals.

Wike and other speakers at the convention invited the aggrieved members to rejoin the fold as members of the same family. But the Turaki camp feels there is a breach of faith by the Wike-faction which rushed to hold its national convention while reconciliation talks were in progress.

Sensing the determination of the Wike camp to proceed with its convention, the Turaki-led PDP faction filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to determine whether the lower courts were right to have declared the Ibadan convention illegal. The trust of their argument is that the apex court had ruled that courts should not interfere with the internal affairs of political parties.

It is yet to be seen whether the Turaki faction will continue to pursue reconciliation with the Wike-led faction or pursue more rigorously its case at the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Please follow and like us: