FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 will go ahead as planned, noting that efforts at reconciling aggrieved members will continue after the convention.
The minister, who also assured that the PDP will shock Nigerians in the 2027 general elections, dismissed the appeal filed at the Supreme Court by the Tanimu Turaki group, noting that it has no effect on the convention.
Speaking after inspecting the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, the convention venue in Abuja, the minister explained that reconciliation is a continuous process.
He was accompanied by the chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; PDP Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; the chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC), Mohammed Abdulrahman; the national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and other members of the NCWC, as well as the chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, and others.
The minister emphasized that the convention will proceed, while efforts to resolve internal disputes will continue afterwards.
“There is room for accommodation. The PDP is a very large party. Look at the umbrella, it is wide enough to accommodate everyone," Wike said.
"I have always said that in any group, there will be grievances.
"You cannot expect that in a family of two or three people, everyone will always be satisfied, let alone a party with millions of members.
"There will always be a few who are not happy. We have agreed to sit down with them, understand their concerns, and see how we can accommodate them. What is most important is the overall interest of the party.”
The minister confirmed that the PDP's national leadership positions have been zoned across regions.
“We have already zoned our positions. Every zone has its own slots.
"The presidency has been zoned to the South, while the chairmanship is zoned to the North. We believe this consensus arrangement will make the process easier.
"For the first time, the PDP is presenting a unified front, rather than the usual ‘unity list’ that often reflects internal divisions.
"There are no factions; everyone has agreed on the direction we are taking.”
Wike also said the party was "fully prepared" for the convention.
"Seating arrangements for all states have been completed, and the VIP section is ready. We do not expect more than 2,500 delegates," he declared confidently.
