By Wellington Jopelo
Delegates from several states gathered in Abuja on Sunday as the Peoples Democratic Party held its 2026 national convention despite ongoing internal disagreements. The event, backed by Nyesom Wike, saw the emergence of a new set of national leaders.
At the convention held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, party members approved a fresh National Working Committee to manage the affairs of the opposition party for the next four years. The move is seen as part of efforts to reposition the party ahead of future elections.
Over 2,500 delegates endorsed the new leadership through a consensus arrangement, following earlier agreements among key stakeholders within the party.
The newly elected National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, will lead the 19-member committee, alongside other officials occupying positions such as secretary, treasurer, publicity secretary, and youth leader. The structure follows provisions of the party’s constitution.
However, the convention exposed deep cracks within the party, as some state chapters refused to participate. While delegates from states like Kebbi, Ekiti, and Benue attended, others including Edo stayed away, describing the gathering as unlawful due to ongoing legal disputes.
In Sokoto, the crisis worsened as rival factions within the state chapter disagreed on participation, with one group attending the convention despite an earlier boycott directive.
Amid the tension, party leaders including Bukola Saraki and Sule Lamido called for unity, urging members to set aside differences and rebuild trust within the party.
Former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, stressed that reconciliation remains critical, noting that the party must overcome internal disputes to remain competitive.
Meanwhile, in Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed has set up a committee to resolve internal issues within the state chapter, with a deadline to restore stability before the 2027 elections.
Despite the divisions, leaders at the convention maintained that the gathering marks a fresh start for the party, expressing confidence that unity efforts will strengthen the PDP ahead of future political contests.