The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with backing from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared a return to relative stability following weeks of internal disputes and legal battles, as preparations intensify for its national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.
Addressing party stakeholders at the 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee, Abdulrahman Mohammed, said the party had made notable progress in rebuilding its structures and restoring confidence among members.
He noted that recent ward, state, and zonal congresses were largely successful, despite lingering tensions. According to him, the PDP is embracing reconciliation, stressing that the party’s recovery process is anchored on unity rather than division.
Mohammed emphasised that recent court rulings and internal disagreements were being managed with inclusiveness and dialogue, urging members to move beyond factional lines and work collectively toward rebuilding the party.
He described the forthcoming convention as a defining moment that would shape the PDP’s leadership trajectory ahead of future elections, calling on stakeholders to prioritise the party’s collective interest over personal ambitions.
The caretaker chairman also commended key figures for their roles in stabilisation efforts, including former Abia State governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who chairs the convention planning committee, and Wike, whom he praised for providing steady leadership during turbulent times.
Despite the reconciliatory tone, the NEC meeting underscored the fragile balance within the party as it seeks to harmonise competing interests. Mohammed maintained that the PDP remains a strong opposition force capable of offering credible governance but warned that unity is essential to sustaining that position.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, described the current phase as critical to the party’s future. He commended the successful conduct of congresses nationwide and highlighted the importance of the ongoing electronic membership registration, describing it as a step toward transparency, credibility, and organisational efficiency.
Ohuabunwa urged party members to support the e-registration initiative, noting that a reliable membership database is fundamental to strengthening internal democracy and planning.
On zoning, he appealed for fairness and openness, encouraging leaders to adopt decisions that promote unity and inclusiveness. He stressed that the PDP’s resilience lies in its ability to manage internal differences and emerge stronger.
The NEC meeting comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis that has rocked the party since November 2025. The dispute followed the controversial Ibadan convention, which produced a National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki but was later nullified by the Court of Appeal for violating electoral and party regulations.
The crisis deepened with the emergence of a rival caretaker committee backed by Wike’s faction, leading to clashes at the party’s national secretariat and intervention by the Nigeria Police.
With the court’s ruling invalidating the earlier convention, the PDP now looks to its upcoming national convention as a fresh opportunity to unify its ranks and reposition itself ahead of future political contests.
