- According to Wike, around 2,500 delegates are expected to attend the convention
- He also played down internal disputes and ongoing court cases, insisting they would not disrupt the convention
- Wike struck an optimistic tone about the party’s prospects, saying the PDP would surprise Nigerians
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has confirmed that the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will go ahead as planned on March 29 and 30.
He emphasized that reconciliation efforts within the party will continue even after the event, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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According to Wike, around 2,500 delegates are expected to attend the convention, which is seen as a key step in preparing the party for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Friday after inspecting the Velodrome at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the venue for the gathering, Wike expressed satisfaction with the level of readiness.
He also played down internal disputes and ongoing court cases, insisting they would not disrupt the convention.
He dismissed concerns over an appeal at the Supreme Court filed by a faction linked to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, stating that the legal challenge would not affect the scheduled event.
Wike struck an optimistic tone about the party’s prospects, saying the PDP would surprise Nigerians in the next general elections.
He acknowledged that disagreements are inevitable in a large political party but stressed the importance of dialogue and inclusion.
He noted that discussions would continue with aggrieved members to address their concerns, adding that unity remains a top priority.
According to him, reconciliation is an ongoing process that will extend beyond the convention as the party works to strengthen itself.
On the issue of zoning, Wike explained that party positions have already been shared across regions to ensure balance.
He said the presidency has been zoned to the South, while the national chairmanship has been allocated to the North, a move he believes will promote consensus.
Providing an update on preparations, Wike said arrangements were nearly complete, with logistics, seating plans for states, and VIP sections already in place. He added that final touches were being made to ensure a smooth convention.
The inspection was attended by several party leaders, including Okezie Ikpeazu, Mao Ohuabunwa, Mohammed Abdulrahman, and Samuel Anyanwu, among others.
The upcoming convention comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP that began in November 2025.
Earlier, party governors had supported a convention held in Ibadan on November 15, which produced Turaki and members of the National Working Committee for a four-year term.
Leadership was subsequently transferred from former acting national chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended in December.
However, a rival faction aligned with Wike later set up a 13-member caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman, with a temporary mandate.
Tensions between the factions escalated, with attempts to hold meetings at the party’s national secretariat turning chaotic and prompting intervention by the Nigeria Police Force.
The dispute moved to the courts, culminating in a ruling by the Court of Appeal on March 9, which nullified the Ibadan convention, stating that it violated the Electoral Act, the Constitution, and the party’s internal rules.
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