Wike’s PDP Gathers in Abuja as Leadership Issues Deepen Ahead of Convention Deadline

ByFranklin Eke3 days Ago1 Mins read34

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike is set to hold a strategic meeting in Abuja this Sunday, aiming to address leadership matters and prepare for a possible national convention.

The gathering comes just days before the December 9 expiration of the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) elected in 2021. According to insiders, the Wike-backed group is exploring the formation of a caretaker committee to manage party affairs moving forward.

This development follows the emergence of a new NWC led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, who was elected during a convention held in Ibadan. That event, supported by governors like Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, took place after the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters was shut down amid internal conflict. Turaki and his team have since established a temporary office in Abuja’s Area 10 to continue party operations.

Wike’s PDP Camp Expels Top Party Leaders, Rejects Ibadan Convention

Despite the transition, Wike loyalists Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu insist they remain the Acting National Chairman and Secretary, respectively. They argue that the Ibadan convention lacked legal standing and are pushing back against the new leadership.

A senior member of Wike’s camp, speaking anonymously, confirmed that many of their allies have already arrived in Abuja for the Sunday-Monday meeting. “We can’t sit back and watch the party fall apart. The original tenure ends on December 9, and we must act,” he said.

PDP Faction Appoints Caretaker Team in Enugu After Governor Joins APC

He added that the meeting will focus on key issues such as forming a caretaker committee, organizing a national convention, and planning state-level congresses. “We’re committed to protecting the PDP from being hijacked by a few individuals. Our goal is to uphold internal democracy and ensure fairness as we prepare for 2027,” he stated.

Meanwhile, a member of the Turaki-led NWC acknowledged the rival group’s plans but dismissed them as illegitimate. “We know they’re planning to install a caretaker committee, but this won’t hold. The party’s structures and legal processes will prevail,” he said.

With the Wadata Plaza still closed due to the ongoing leadership dispute, the Turaki-led team continues to operate from their temporary base, awaiting a resolution to the internal standoff.