The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction aligned with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, says there is no turning back on its National Convention, making it clear the event will go ahead despite internal tensions and ongoing reconciliation talks.
Put simply, the party leadership is moving forward and drawing a line: whatever disagreements exist within the PDP will not be allowed to delay or reshape the convention process.
That position was laid out on Wednesday in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, during a pre-convention press briefing where he rolled out the timetable leading up to the March 29–30 gathering.
The stance also reflects the position of the Nyesom Wike-aligned bloc within the party, which has consistently pushed for the convention to proceed regardless of internal disputes.
“Reconciliation is an ongoing thing, and it cannot in any way prevent the caretaker committee from carrying out the convention.
“If you recall, we had initially informed the representative of the Turaki group who attended our last NEC meeting that whatever their written proposals may be, two things remain sacrosanct: the existence of this caretaker committee and the conduct of this National Convention,” he said.
According to him, the process begins on Thursday, when the party will publish the names of members of the National Convention Planning and Organising Committee and its subcommittees. These groups will handle key areas such as venue, security, accreditation, media, protocol, electoral matters, zoning, screening, and medical services.
“We expect to publish the names and membership of these committees and subcommittees tomorrow,” Mohammed said.
All the committees will be inaugurated on Saturday, March 21, at 8 p.m., with the venue to be announced.
The next day, March 22, the Zoning Committee will meet to decide how party positions will be shared across the country’s geopolitical zones, a step that often shapes the outcome of the convention.
From there, activities move quickly. An emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 23, at 12 noon at the FCT Minister’s Lodge in Life Camp, Abuja.
Immediately after that meeting, the sale of nomination forms will begin and run until March 25, closing at 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 26, has been set aside for hearing appeals arising from the screening process and related activities, with proceedings expected to end by 7 p.m. “The appeals will close by 7 p.m.,” he stated.
Before the main event, the party would host a pre-convention cocktail on Saturday, March 28, at 5 p.m. at the Minister’s Lodge in Life Camp. Attendance will be strictly by invitation.
“The National Convention is slated for 29th and 30th of March this year,” Mohammed said.
The PDP also used the briefing to stress that the process was in line with electoral requirements, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been notified and has already monitored its ward, local government, and state congresses.
“The Independent Electoral Commission had been notified about the PDP National Convention long ago, and in line with the notice, they have already supervised and monitored our ward, local government, and state congresses. The National Convention will not be an exception,” he said.
He added that the party had completed its state congresses in line with a court ruling, with only the zonal congresses for the South-East and North-West left, both scheduled for Saturday.
“We have concluded all state congresses in line with the judgment of Justice Omotosho… and then the Zonal congresses for the South East and North West will be on Saturday,” he said, effectively clearing the final steps before the convention showdown.
