The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared that the era of uncertainty within the party is over and directed immediate preparations for party primaries in line with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.
Wike camp leaders revealed this on Monday during the 108th National Executive Committee meeting, which was held at the PDP National Headquarters in Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, the camp’s PDP National Chairman, emphasized the necessity for discipline, internal changes, and strict adherence to party structures as part of efforts to reposition the PDP for the next election cycle.
In his remarks, Wike urged the party leadership to form a strong committee to engage and reintegrate defectors.
Mao Ohuabunwa, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, also urged members to work together to develop the party’s structure and electoral competitiveness in the run-up to 2027.
However, the governors’ side, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), denounced the meeting, portraying it as an APC infiltration of the PDP. It further claimed that the gathering lacked legality and cautioned members not to be mislead by “disguised opposition elements” acting within the party’s structure.
The PDP has been embroiled in a protracted internal crisis characterized by factional rivalries. Turaki’s alliance is supported by governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, whereas Mohammed’s opposing group is supported by the Federal Capital Territory’s minister.
Both groups have filed numerous court cases, which are still unresolved, in order to establish legal control over the party.
According to a recent source, Wike’s camp national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, appealing a Federal Capital Territory High Court decision that dismissed his petition and upheld his expulsion from the party.
The April 10, 2026 appeal challenges Justice Yusuf Halilu’s verdict in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1050/2025, which was issued on January 12, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission requesting that the Mohammed/Anyanwu faction, including the Wike-backed bloc, be derecognized, escalating the party’s legal and political fight.
Despite this, Mohammed welcomed members to the 108th NEC meeting and praised their devotion and tenacity amid a period of leadership upheaval, stating that their dedication helped save the party and reposition it for the future.
He also commended security agents for protecting party assets and ensuring calm amid the crisis, citing their participation as critical to the protection of democratic institutions.
The Wike bloc chairman stated, “Today, we gather not as a party in distress but as a strong political institution firmly focused on the future. The Peoples Democratic Party has now successfully navigated its internal challenges, and we are fully aligned with the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and all relevant guidelines as issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“The era of uncertainty is behind us. The era of strategy, consolidation, and electoral preparation has begun today. In this regard, we are on the roadmap for our nationwide party primaries.
“Let me essentially say that the PDP is set to conduct transparent, credible, and inclusive party primaries at all levels, in strict compliance with extant laws and democratic best practices.
“We are determined to produce candidates who reflect the will of our members and the aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
He noted that the PDP’s future lies in stability and progress.
Mohammed added, “As we approach the 2027 election, the PDP remains committed to upholding the principles of internal democracy, rule of law, equity, and national dignity.
“We call on all our members to remain focused, united, and committed to the collective interests of the party above all personal interests and ambitions.
“Let this NEC meeting mark the beginning of a new chapter defined by resilience, strategy, clarity, and purposeful leadership.”
Ohuabunwa, the camp’s BoT chairman, asked PDP leaders to work together to develop the party and foster unity, stability, and clear direction.
He stated, “As the Board of Trustees, our role remains clear: to guide, to counsel, and to ensure that the party remains anchored to its founding principles of justice, equity, and fairness.
“At this stage in the life of our party, unity must remain our watchword and our highest priority. The success of our convention must now translate into deeper cohesion. We must consciously and deliberately bridge divides, reconcile differences, and bring every stakeholder into the fold.
“There is no room for exclusion; rather, there should only be room for inclusion, understanding, and collective progress. Our strength has always been our ability to accommodate diverse views while maintaining a common purpose. That strength must not be compromised.
“Distinguished Members, we must also focus on strengthening our internal processes and reinforcing discipline within the party. The supremacy of our Constitution must be upheld at all times. Due process must guide our actions, and institutional integrity must never be sacrificed for expediency.”
He added that the PDP’s reputation depends on everyone and that the party must listen, understand, and implement institutional reforms.
The BOT chairman added, “I commend the ongoing e-registration process and other innovative efforts of this great party. These initiatives are vital in building a transparent, accountable, and data-driven party structure that is fit for contemporary political engagement.
“The task before us is clear: to consolidate, to strengthen, and to prepare. We must consolidate the gains of this convention. We must strengthen our structures across all levels, and we must prepare with unity of purpose for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
In his remarks, Wike stated that the Mohammed-led National Working Committee’s return to the National Secretariat confirmed the validity of its leadership and that any competing faction claiming legitimacy should have its meeting at the same location to demonstrate its legitimacy.
Wike also asked the Mohammed-led NWC to step up efforts to reconcile with defectors, emphasizing the need for unity and inclusion in preparing the party for future political challenges.
He stated, “Let me first of all congratulate Mr. Chairman and his team for their emergence at the last concluded National Convention.
“Let us congratulate you that after the inauguration, you took steps to make sure that we reclaimed our secretariat, which is where we are sitting today. What shows that you are the authentic PDP is that you are holding your meeting at the National Secretariat. If there is any other PDP, let them come to the National Secretariat and hold their own meeting.
“Instead of us hiring hotels and other areas, you made sure that we reclaimed our National Secretariat. I thank you and the members of your team.
“Let me use this opportunity to also say that all of us, having had the debate, will continue to remain members of the People’s Democratic Party, whatever happens.
“I know in life there must be a period of crisis. Nobody can say that in his or her family everything has been going on smoothly. No, sometimes it will be rough. It is the ability for you to withstand those challenges.
“I want to commend all of you, the leaders, for being faithful and committed. In fact, despite all the temptation for you to have abandoned your party, you said no, that you would continue to be here. I want to thank all of you. That shows people who are loyal, that shows you want to remain members of this party.”
Wike issued a warning that the party’s leadership should not halt the reconciliation process, noting that broader inclusion would only strengthen the party.
He added, “So, let us not say that those who have defected should be left alone. No, Chairman and your team, make sure you put up a strong committee that will still go ahead and talk to those who have defected. And whatever is due to them, they will still have it. Most of them may have defected because of uncertainty. If, for instance, I want to run an election and I’m not sure who will sign my documents to be presented to INEC, then most people will definitely find where they can get succor. But now, if you go and talk to them, I believe they will have a rethink and continue to support this party.
“On my own part, let me assure you, I will continue to support the party. I will continue to be loyal to the party. From 1998 till now, I have been a member of the PDP, and I will not leave the party. That is the truth of the matter.
“Let us also assure those of you who have said this, believing that the matter is in court. I believe that our lawyers are doing great work, and I want to leave it to our lawyers. We are confident that our lawyers have been doing great work. God, who has led us this far, can never abandon us. So if God wanted to abandon us, we wouldn’t have started winning.
“So, let me plead with the party, particularly the NWC, to show difference in what is to happen. Let us be open and transparent. Let people know, indeed, we are serious about correcting some anomalies or mistakes that previous leadership may have made.
“Nobody is perfect. What will happen is that if people are coming back, people will praise you for indeed doing well at this party. But if people are not coming back, then we are going to ask some questions—what are you doing? So, I want to plead with you: show transparency and show openness so that we will get whatever we want to get.”
In a communiqué issued following the NEC meeting and signed by the factional National Publicity Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, the party leadership praised the Mohammed- and Anyanwu-led NWC for its dedication and proactive efforts to stabilize the PDP since the March 30 convention.
The NEC also expressed complete confidence in the NWC’s ability to lead the party to greater unity and electoral success.
The communiqué read in part, “The Party declared that it is not in distress, stating that the era of uncertainty is over. NEC emphasized reconciliation, collective responsibility, and resolving internal issues through dialogue and adherence to Party structures.
“NEC endorsed the ongoing electronic membership registration (e-registration) to modernize the party’s database, enhance transparency, and boost grassroots participation.”
