The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Nyesom Wike has maintained that its proposed national convention slated for March 29–30 will go ahead as planned, despite ongoing court cases surrounding the party’s leadership dispute.
The party’s National Caretaker Committee, headed by acting National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman and acting National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been formally notified about the scheduled convention.
Speaking on the development, members of the caretaker committee reaffirmed their commitment to conducting what they described as an inclusive convention aimed at electing a new set of national leaders for the party. They insisted that pending litigation would not disrupt their plans, expressing confidence that the legal matters would ultimately be resolved in their favour.
However, the rival faction backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) has rejected the move. The group argued that the Wike-aligned bloc lacks the legal standing and authority to organise a convention in the name of the party, describing the planned exercise as invalid.
The leadership crisis stems from disputes over the legitimacy of a previous national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025. In January, a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified that convention and restrained certain individuals from parading themselves as national officers.
Following internal disagreements, a caretaker committee was constituted by the Wike-aligned camp with a 60-day mandate to oversee party affairs. Attempts by both factions to assert control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja previously resulted in clashes, prompting security authorities to seal the headquarters.
With the matter now before the Court of Appeal and both factions seeking recognition from INEC — which has declined to formally recognise either side — the leadership tussle continues ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the uncertainty, the caretaker committee insists preparations for the March convention are ongoing and will be conducted in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
