Nigeria: Wike-Backed PDP Fixes National Convention for March 28 in Abuja

3 February 2026

The Abdulrahman-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has scheduled its long-awaited National Convention for March 28 and 29, 2026, in Abuja, a decisive move aimed at electing a substantive National Working Committee (NWC) and conclusively ending its protracted leadership crisis.

The date was ratified at the party's 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, following what the communiqué described as extensive deliberations on recent judicial developments and internal processes.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the crucial meeting and signed by the National Caretaker Committee chairman, Hon Abdulrahman Muhammed, and secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the NEC unanimously reaffirmed the legitimacy and authority of the Muhammed-led Caretaker Committee as the party's only lawful national administrative organ.

The committee cited the recent Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan as a pivotal anchor for its decisions, stating that NEC "welcomed and affirmed the judgment, which upheld the legality of the Party's leadership and administrative arrangements.

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"NEC resolved that all Party organs, members, and stakeholders shall continue to act strictly in obedience to subsisting court judgments and judicial directives," the communiqué stated.

With the legal pathway cleared, NEC approved a compressed timetable for grassroots elections leading to the convention, which are the Ward Congresses which is fixed for February 2026, local government congresses fixed for February 2026 and the State Congresses fixed for March 2026.

The NEC directed the National Caretaker Committee to issue detailed guidelines for these congresses "in strict compliance with the PDP Constitution, INEC Regulations, and judicial directives."

Crucially, the tenure of the current National Caretaker Committee, alongside State and Zonal Caretaker Committees, was extended to oversee the process until the new officers are elected at their respective congresses and the national convention.

"NEC mandated 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 document stated.

The communiqué called on all members to eschew actions capable of undermining Party cohesion, and place the collective interest of the Party above personal considerations.

It expressed confidence that the resolutions "will strengthen internal democracy, restore stability, and reposition the Party for future electoral success."

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