A faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has commenced the sale of nomination forms in preparation for the party’s forthcoming National Convention.
The development was disclosed on Monday, 23 March, following the faction’s 107th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, where timelines and key arrangements for the convention were reviewed.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the party urged all aspirants seeking national offices to strictly adhere to approved guidelines and timelines.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and its Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
“NEC noted that the sale of nomination forms for the forthcoming national convention has commenced. All interested aspirants are advised to comply with the approved guidelines and timelines as issued by the party,” the statement read.
The NEC also reaffirmed the party’s zoning formula for national elective offices, noting that the arrangement would guide the distribution of positions to ensure regional balance.
According to the communiqué, “The zoning arrangement shall serve as the guiding framework for the forthcoming National Convention.”
Party leaders expressed readiness for the convention, directing relevant committees to ensure a smooth process under the theme, “A convention of inclusiveness, unity and renewal.”
The meeting comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis that has plagued the party since November 2025.
While PDP governors had earlier endorsed the Ibadan convention held on 15 November, which produced Tanimu Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year tenure, the Wike-aligned faction subsequently constituted a 13-member caretaker committee.
The committee, led by Mohammed as acting national chairman and Anyanwu as acting national secretary, was initially given a 60-day mandate.
Speaking at the meeting, Mohammed said the party had made progress in stabilising its structures and restoring confidence, despite lingering tensions.
“We have made significant progress in stabilising our structures and restoring confidence in our party. There is no victor and no vanquished, only a shared commitment to rebuild, reposition, and strengthen our party,” he said.
He added that recent court rulings had been handled with a spirit of reconciliation and urged members to move beyond divisions, describing the forthcoming convention as a critical milestone for the party’s future.
Mohammed also called on stakeholders to prioritise unity and avoid actions that could deepen internal disagreements.
“As we approach the national convention, I urge all stakeholders to place the collective interest of the party above personal ambitions. The eyes of the nation are upon us,” he stated.
He commended key figures involved in reconciliation efforts, including former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who chairs the convention planning committee, and praised Wike as a stabilising force within the party.
Despite the conciliatory tone, the NEC meeting underscored the challenges facing the PDP in reconciling competing interests ahead of the convention. Mohammed, however, maintained that the party remains a formidable political force and a credible alternative for governance in Nigeria, stressing that unity is essential to sustaining that position.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, described the period as crucial and urged members to act responsibly.
He commended the successful conduct of ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses, describing them as evidence of the party’s commitment to democratic principles.
Ohuabunwa further highlighted the importance of the ongoing electronic membership registration exercise, noting that it would enhance transparency, strengthen internal democracy, and improve party planning.
“A credible membership register is the foundation of any serious political organization. It strengthens internal democracy, enhances planning, and builds confidence among members and stakeholders,” he said.
On zoning, he urged party leaders to approach recommendations with fairness and unity.
“No arrangement is perfect, but what is most important is our collective willingness to accommodate one another for the greater good of the party,” he added.
(Agency Report)
