The Peoples Democratic Party faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has elected Abdulrahman Mohammed as its substantive National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
Both leaders emerged through a consensus arrangement alongside 19 other members of the new National Working Committee during the party’s 2026 national convention held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja on Sunday.
The convention attracted several prominent figures within the party, including former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Kaduna State governor Ahmed Makarfi, among others.
Addressing delegates, Wike, who was acknowledged as the national leader of the faction, declared that the healing process within the party had begun, assuring members that the PDP would participate in the 2027 general elections.
“So many people have spoken here. Saraki has said, with Abba Moro, and they were asking, ‘Is the PDP going to contest the 2027 election at all?’
“I have told Senator Saraki that, by the grace of God, the PDP will be on the ballot in 2027. We have seen the real convention, the convention that is being monitored by the electoral umpire. That is the convention that is recognised,” he said.
He stressed that the future of the party must be built on inclusiveness and equal opportunities for all members, while commending delegates for their resilience during the crisis.
“I congratulate all of you who stood firm when the storm raged. You showed exemplary resilience when push came to shove. You refused to be downcast when those who pretended to be leaders of the party betrayed you disgracefully.
“You survived the taunts of the naysayers. Together, we are standing on the positive side of purpose and committed to the task of making Nigeria a truly prosperous country,” Wike added.
In his acceptance remarks, Abdulrahman Mohammed emphasised unity and inclusiveness as the party moves forward.
“Today, we choose a higher path. We choose inclusiveness over exclusion, unity over division, we choose renewal over decline,” he said.
“The PDP has not come here to mourn itself; the PDP has come here to renew itself. This convention is therefore not just about the election; this convention is about restoration, order, not just about position.
“Distinguished delegates, this is not an official day. Today is a moment of reflection, a moment of responsibility, and above all, a moment of renewal. We gather here after a difficult session, a session of disagreement, legal contestation, a session that tested the strength and soul of this party,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the convention planning committee and former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, disclosed that about 2,035 delegates participated in the exercise, assuring that the party’s reconciliation efforts would continue even after the convention.
The convention comes against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP, which has split the party into two factions. While a rival group led by Tanimu Turaki and backed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed claims legitimacy on one side, the Wike-backed faction has now established its leadership through the Abuja convention.
The crisis has also led to legal battles. On March 9, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court ruling restraining the party from conducting its earlier convention in Ibadan. Delivering judgment on March 23, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam ruled that the PDP violated constitutional provisions guiding its convention process.
However, the Turaki-led faction has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling, further prolonging the dispute over the party’s leadership structure.
What you should know
The leadership tussle within the Peoples Democratic Party has created two parallel factions, each claiming legitimacy.
The emergence of Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu as leaders under the Wike-backed faction marks a significant development, but does not resolve the broader crisis. With ongoing court cases and competing leadership claims, the party’s unity remains uncertain.
The outcome of legal proceedings and reconciliation efforts will play a decisive role in determining whether the PDP can present a united front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
