A faction of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has announced March 28 and 29, 2026, as the dates for its National Convention in Abuja.
The decision was taken at the party’s 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, February 2.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Abdulrahman Muhammed-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC), with Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu as secretary, describing it as the only lawful national administrative organ of the party until the convention.
The party also approved the extension of the tenure of the National Caretaker Working Committee and other state and zonal caretaker committees until the completion of congresses and the national convention.
NEC approved a timetable for party congresses ahead of the convention, including ward and local government congresses in February, and state congresses in March.
The party directed the caretaker committee and relevant organs to issue detailed guidelines and modalities for the congresses in line with the PDP Constitution, INEC regulations, and court directives.
In its communique, the NEC welcomed a Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan that upheld the legality of the factional PDP’s leadership and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the caretaker committee.
The party urged all organs and stakeholders to comply with subsisting court judgments and called on INEC to fully implement the ruling.
Factional Rift: Wike vs Makinde
But the announcement comes amid deep factional division within the PDP, with two major camps competing for control of the party’s future direction.
One faction, widely associated with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has backed the Abdulrahman Muhammed caretaker structure and the planned March convention.
The camp has argued that the convention timetable is necessary to restore order and prevent further fragmentation.
A rival faction, believed to be aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has disputed the legitimacy of the caretaker committee and has previously held parallel meetings and congresses in parts of the country.
The Makinde camp has called for broader consultations and has accused the Wike-backed group of attempting to impose leadership structures without adequate internal consensus.
Last December, the faction issued expulsion certificates to 11 of its members, including Wike, Muhammed, and Anyanwu.
