The Peoples Democratic Party bloc aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has fixed March 28 and 29, 2026, for its national convention in Abuja, where the party will elect a new National Working Committee and other statutory organs.
The announcement followed the faction’s 105th meeting of the PDP National Executive Committee held on Monday in Abuja.
A communique signed by the factional National Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, said the NEC approved a timetable for party congresses nationwide, with ward and local government congresses scheduled for February and state congresses in March.
“Pursuant to its constitutional responsibilities and in line with preparations for a smooth transition to an elected leadership, NEC approved and confirmed the following schedule for party congresses nationwide: Ward Congresses: February; Local Government Congresses: February; and State Congresses: March,” the communique partly read.
It added, “NEC further approved and confirmed March 28th and 29th, 2026, as the date for the PDP National Convention, to be held at Abuja, for the purpose of electing members of the National Working Committee and other statutory organs of the Party.”
The NEC also approved the extension of the tenure of the National Caretaker Working Committee, as well as affected state and zonal caretaker committees, pending the conduct of national, state, and zonal congresses.
It directed 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.”
The NEC reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Mohammed-led Caretaker Committee, withl Anyanwu as secretary, describing it as “the only lawful national administrative organ of the Party, fully empowered to act as the National Working Committee pending the conduct of the National Convention.”
It urged members at all levels to remain disciplined, loyal, and committed to party unity, stressing that “the PDP remains committed to rebuilding a strong, disciplined, democratic, and electorally competitive party capable of providing credible leadership and governance to Nigerians.”
The decision follows a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan, which nullified the PDP’s National Convention held between November 15 and 16, 2025 that produced Taminu Turaki as the PDP National Chairman.
The court also affirmed that the Caretaker Committee led by Mohammed and Anyanwu remains the only recognised NWC, pending a valid national convention.
Justice Uche Agomoh barred Turaki and other officials purportedly elected at the Ibadan convention from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
Speaking at the party’s Board of Trustees meeting in Abuja on Monday, factional BoT Chairman Mao Ohuabunwa described the PDP as being at a defining moment and urged leaders to prioritise collective interest over personal ambition.
He noted that the delay in holding congresses was deliberate, to respect pending judicial processes.
“The PDP has passed through turbulent waters in recent months. Internal disagreements, leadership disputes, and legal contests have tested our cohesion. Yet, the party has endured; not because of personalities, but because of institutions; not because of noise, but because of restraint; not because of force, but because of fidelity to constitutional order,” Ohuabunwa said.
The factional chairman, Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the BoT for its support, which he described as vital to the party’s stability.
He thanked the FCT Minister, Wike, for backing the committee, saying it strengthened its determination to reposition the party.
“Any moment from now, we shall roll out our timetable for activities that have to do with outstanding congresses in some states that will usher in a seamless National Convention,” Mohammed said.
He urged party stakeholders to remain law-abiding and committed to the ideals of the PDP, warning that the party could not afford complacency.
The NEC and BoT statements signal the Wike-aligned faction’s intent to consolidate unity, respect court decisions, and move decisively toward a legally recognised convention.