The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is moving ahead with its national convention in Abuja, despite ongoing internal disagreements and legal concerns raised by a rival faction within the party.
Preparations for the convention, scheduled to hold at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Sunday and Monday, have been concluded, with party leaders expressing confidence that the exercise will proceed smoothly. A heavy presence of security operatives has been deployed at the venue to ensure order as the convention gets underway.
A factional National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) of the party reaffirmed its readiness for the convention, insisting that all legal and constitutional requirements have been met and that no court order has been served to stop the process.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, told journalists in Abuja that the convention represents an important step in strengthening the party’s internal democracy and rebuilding confidence among members. He explained that arrangements have been put in place to ensure a peaceful and transparent exercise, urging party members and delegates to remain calm and focused despite reports of attempts to disrupt the process.
Mohammed also dismissed claims circulating on social media about legal obstacles, maintaining that the committee had not received any injunction preventing the convention from holding and remains committed to conducting the exercise in line with party rules and national laws.
The development comes amid a leadership tussle within the party, with a rival group led by Tanimu Turaki reportedly challenging the convention and pursuing legal action over earlier party decisions and the outcome of a previous convention in Ibadan.
The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, however, insists the planned gathering has the backing of party stakeholders and is necessary to move the PDP forward, while reconciliation efforts with aggrieved members will continue after the convention.
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, who inspected the convention venue ahead of the event, also expressed confidence in the party’s preparedness, noting that the PDP remains open to accommodating different interests within its ranks and resolving disputes through dialogue.
He emphasized that disagreements are normal in a large political organisation but should not derail efforts to reposition the party ahead of future elections, adding that consensus arrangements and zoning of positions are expected to make the convention process smoother.
The PDP convention is expected to bring together around 2,500 delegates, party leaders, and stakeholders from across the country as the party seeks to consolidate its leadership structure and strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PDP convention comes on the heels of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) wrapping up its own 8th National Convention in Abuja on Saturday. The APC gathering, which drew thousands of delegates to Eagle Square, set the stage for party leadership decisions and policy discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections, highlighting the competitive political landscape as major parties consolidate their structures and strategies.