PDP FIXES MARCH 28-29 FOR NATIONAL CONVENTION TO RESOLVE LEADERSHIP CRISIS

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed March 28 and 29, 2026, for its National Convention in Abuja as part of efforts to resolve the party’s protracted leadership crisis.

The decision was taken on Monday during the party’s 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, where members reviewed internal party matters, the prevailing political climate, and recent court rulings affecting the party.

NEC reaffirmed all resolutions reached at its Emergency 104th meeting of December 7, 2025, insisting that all actions taken since then remain valid, lawful, and binding.

The committee said the decisions were made in strict compliance with the PDP Constitution, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act, and subsisting judicial pronouncements.

The party also expressed confidence in the judiciary and welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, which upheld the party’s leadership structure and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Abdulrahman Muhammed–led National Caretaker Committee.

NEC further reaffirmed the legitimacy of the National Caretaker Committee, with Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu as Secretary, declaring it the only lawful national administrative body of the party pending the conduct of the National Convention.

In preparation for the convention, NEC approved a timetable for party congresses across the country. Ward and local government congresses are scheduled for February, while state congresses will hold in March.

The National Caretaker Committee was directed to issue detailed guidelines and modalities for the congresses in line with party regulations, INEC guidelines, and existing court orders.

The committee also approved the extension of the tenure of the National Caretaker Working Committee, as well as affected state and zonal caretaker committees, pending the conduct of the National Convention and subsequent congresses.

NEC mandated the immediate activation of all convention sub-committees and directed the commencement of full logistical, administrative, and consultative preparations to ensure a transparent, inclusive, and credible convention.

The decision comes amid lingering leadership disputes within the PDP, marked by competing claims to party offices and multiple court cases that have strained party unity.

However, party leaders expressed optimism that the March convention would serve as a turning point in restoring cohesion, internal democracy, and the PDP’s electoral strength ahead of future elections.