The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Tuesday as a faction believed to be backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stepped up preparations for the party’s proposed national convention.

Members of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee inspected the Velodrome at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which has been proposed as the venue for the convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.

The inspection was led by the acting National Chairman of the committee, Mohammed Abdulrahman, alongside the faction’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and other party officials.

Speaking with journalists after the inspection, Abdulrahman explained that the visit was aimed at ensuring adequate preparations ahead of the national convention.

“You can see for yourself, and that is why we are here this afternoon, to look at the venue of the national convention that is coming up on the 29th and 30th of March and to also examine the possibility of putting things in place before the date of the national convention,” he said.

Caretaker Committee Confident After Appeal Court Ruling

Abdulrahman also stated that the recent Court of Appeal judgment had helped clarify the leadership situation within the party.

According to him, the ruling affirmed the position of the National Caretaker Working Committee, giving the group confidence to proceed with plans for the convention.

“With the outcome of the Appeal Court judgment, individuals across the federation and those in the diaspora now know that we have a party at hand,” he said.

He added that the caretaker committee was determined to organise a credible and smooth convention, urging party members to put aside their differences and work together for the future of the PDP.

“We are not claiming that the victory is for any individual or group. It is a victory for all. We should all put our differences aside and work together for the progress of the party,” Abdulrahman said.

The faction’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, also reassured party members and aspirants seeking elective offices under the PDP platform that the leadership dispute would not affect their political ambitions.

He said the Court of Appeal had recognised the caretaker committee as the legitimate leadership pending the emergence of a new National Working Committee (NWC) after the convention.

“All those who want to contest elections under the platform of the PDP should not be afraid. The Appeal Court has affirmed this Caretaker Working Committee, and by the time we hold our convention, we will have a full-fledged National Working Committee,” Anyanwu said.

He further dismissed concerns raised by defectors about who would sign nomination documents for aspirants, insisting that the party’s processes remained intact.

Governor Yusuf Removes Kano Head of Service in Civil Service Reshuffle

Meanwhile, leaders of another bloc within the party held an expanded meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) to deliberate on the implications of the Appeal Court judgment and the party’s future.

The meeting was led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), who said the current developments had created concern among Nigerians and party members.

“It becomes imperative that our leaders sit down, consider the situation on ground and come up with workable and implementable options that will save this party and indeed strengthen Nigeria’s democracy,” Turaki said.

Speaking on behalf of PDP governors, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde acknowledged that the party was currently facing one of the most difficult periods in its history.

“It’s a challenging period for us as leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is also a challenging period for democracy in Nigeria,” Makinde said.

The governor noted that the political situation facing the PDP was unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history, but expressed optimism that the party would overcome the crisis.

“We are only two remaining governors, but we are not bothered,” he said.

Makinde added that when the history of Nigeria’s democracy is eventually written, PDP leaders would be remembered for standing with the people despite the current challenges.

“This period will pass away. As the Holy Book says, weeping may endure for the night, but in the morning, joy comes,” he added.

Saraki and Akpoti-Uduaghan Call for Reconciliation

Former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki also called on PDP leaders to set aside their differences and accept the Appeal Court ruling in order to organise a fresh national convention that complies with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Saraki warned that continued litigation within the party could create uncertainty about the validity of PDP candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The only option open to all of us is to end all litigation and work with the arrangements that are on the ground for holding a national convention within the INEC timetable,” he said.

Similarly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, urged party stakeholders to embrace reconciliation following the court ruling.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the lawmaker said the judgment should be seen as an opportunity to rebuild unity and strengthen internal democracy within the party.

“The Court of Appeal has spoken, and as a democratic party that believes in the rule of law, we must now shift our focus from litigation to reconciliation and rebuilding,” she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan warned that prolonged internal disputes could undermine the aspirations of many PDP members hoping to contest elections in state assemblies, the National Assembly, governorship positions, and the presidency under the party’s platform.

As the leadership crisis continues, political observers say the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the PDP can resolve its internal disputes and reposition itself ahead of future elections.