By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has inaugurated over 20 committees to organize its forthcoming national convention, scheduled for March 29 and 30.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Saturday in Abuja, was led by the faction’s caretaker committee chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed. The newly constituted committees span critical areas, including screening, accreditation, publicity, transport, logistics, medical services, and security.
The event drew a host of prominent party figures, including Mohammed, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, and Senator Natasha Uduaghan-Akpoti.
According to the Mohammed-led caretaker committee, the convention aims to elect a substantive national leadership to steer the party toward the 2027 general elections. The committee noted that the process is being conducted in compliance with a recent Court of Appeal judgment that nullified the faction’s previous national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which was led by Taminu Turaki.
The development marks the latest chapter in a protracted leadership crisis that has splintered the PDP. Once Nigeria’s ruling party from 1999 to 2015, the PDP has been fractured by internal strife since its defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
The faction backing the convention is loyal to Minister Wike, while a rival faction is led by Taminu Turaki and supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
The internal turmoil has taken a heavy toll on the party’s ranks. Since the 2023 election, nine PDP governors—from Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and Zamfara states—have departed the party. In addition, dozens of federal and state legislators originally elected on the PDP platform have defected, many joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amid the deepening crisis, party stakeholders have voiced growing concern that the prolonged leadership tussle could lead the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify the PDP from fielding candidates in the 2027 elections.
