The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, will meet in Abuja on Sunday to discuss how to manage the party when the tenure of the National Working Committee elected in 2021 ends on December 9. The gathering is expected to focus on plans for a caretaker body and steps toward a national convention.
Top members of the faction said the meeting became necessary because the tenure limit is approaching, and they believe the party’s direction must be shaped before the deadline. Their move comes after the Tanimu Turaki-led NWC, elected at the party’s convention in Ibadan following the closure of the Wadata Plaza secretariat, opened a new temporary office in Abuja.
Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi backed the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other officers were elected on November 16 to serve a four-year term. But Wike-backed Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu still insist they remain Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary. They argue that the Ibadan gathering was not properly convened.
Although former National Chairman Umar Damagum handed over to Turaki before the December 9 expiry of his tenure, sources say the Wike group is not stepping aside. Several of its leaders have already arrived in Abuja for their own meeting, which will run from Sunday through Monday.
Members of the group say they do not want to sit back while the party structure is taken over by people they believe are acting outside proper procedure. They plan to discuss issues such as a caretaker committee, convention plans, NEC meetings, and state congresses as they prepare for the 2027 elections. According to them, the party must be protected from internal disputes and run in a way that gives room for fairness and unity.
A member of the Turaki-led NWC confirmed awareness of the meeting planned by Wike’s camp. He said they know the group intends to form a caretaker body but believes the move will not stand because party rules will prevail.
Since the Wadata Plaza office was closed on November 19 due to the dispute between both sides, the Turaki-led NWC has been operating from a temporary base in Area 10, Abuja. They plan to remain there until the national secretariat is reopened.