The Peoples Democratic Party is facing a fresh internal crisis as two rival groups battle over who has the authority to organise the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 in Abuja.
The dispute involves the camp linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and another group backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The disagreement comes as court cases and leadership struggles continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The faction aligned with Wike, operating through a National Caretaker Committee led by acting National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman and acting National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, has confirmed that the convention will hold as planned.
According to members of the committee, the Independent National Electoral Commission has been formally notified about the event. They said preparations are ongoing and that the party intends to elect new national officers during the gathering.
Members of the caretaker committee said they are moving ahead with plans despite pending court cases. They expressed confidence that the legal disputes would be resolved and maintained that the convention would not be affected.
The committee also stated that it is following the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act in organising the event, adding that the exercise would involve party members across the country.
On the other side, the faction loyal to Governor Makinde and led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) has rejected the planned convention. This group argued that the Wike-backed committee does not have the authority to convene such a meeting.
They insisted that those behind the planned event had been expelled from the party and therefore lacked the legal standing to act in its name.
The leadership crisis dates back to late 2025. On November 15, 2025, a national convention was held in Ibadan where Turaki and members of the National Working Committee were elected for a four-year term.
Before that, PDP governors led by Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed had supported the Ibadan gathering. The transition followed the tenure of former acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, which was due to end in December.
However, on December 8, 2025, the Wike-aligned group set up a 13-member caretaker committee, appointing Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Anyanwu as acting secretary.
The committee was given a 60-day mandate to manage party affairs. Tensions between both groups later led to clashes at the PDP national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, on November 18, 2025.
The situation turned violent, prompting the police to seal the building. The headquarters has remained closed since then.
On January 30, 2026, a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the November 2025 convention and directed Turaki and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the party.
The case has since moved to the Court of Appeal, where judgment is being awaited.
Both factions have sought recognition from INEC, but the electoral body has declined to recognise either side, deepening the crisis.
With the March convention date approaching, the disagreement has added to uncertainty within the party as it prepares for future elections.
The unfolding events have placed the PDP in a difficult position, as members and supporters watch to see which group will gain legal backing and control of the party’s structure before the 2027 polls.