Abuja, Nigeria — Delegates from several Nigerian states gathered in the capital city of Abuja for the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, one of Nigeria’s main opposition political parties, where a new 19-member National Working Committee was affirmed amid ongoing internal divisions.
The convention took place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. The meeting was backed by Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State in southern Nigeria. Delegates from Kebbi State in northwestern Nigeria, Ekiti State in southwestern Nigeria, Bauchi State in northeastern Nigeria and other states participated in the exercise.
The party unveiled 19 members of its National Working Committee, a body responsible for overseeing national leadership and administrative operations. The structure aligns with the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution of 2017, as amended, which provides for positions including National Chairman, Deputy National Chairmen, National Secretary, Treasurer, Organising Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, Woman Leader, Youth Leader and others.
More than 2,500 delegates affirmed Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman. Other confirmed officers include Aaron Chukwuemeka as Deputy National Chairman for the South, Yusufu Akirikwen as Deputy National Chairman for the North, Anyanwu Samuel as National Secretary, Kolawale Olabisi as Deputy National Secretary and Odeyemei Oladiran as National Treasurer. Additional positions were filled across the party’s leadership structure, including national officers responsible for finance, organisation, publicity, youth and women affairs.
Attendance at the convention highlighted divisions within the party. Delegates from Benue State in north-central Nigeria, Ekiti State and Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria took part, while officials from Edo State in southern Nigeria and some other groups boycotted the event. Internal disagreements were also evident in Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria, where one faction attended the convention despite calls for a boycott.
Okay News reports that party leaders repeatedly called for reconciliation and unity ahead of Nigeria’s next general elections scheduled for 2027. Former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, who chaired the convention organising committee, urged members to close ranks and rebuild trust. Former President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, also appealed to party stakeholders to work together, saying the convention provided an opportunity to reposition the party.
The newly confirmed National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, described the convention as a turning point aimed at restoring order after internal disputes. He encouraged members to prioritise party unity and discipline.
Nyesom Wike commended party members for remaining loyal during the crisis and urged them to support a renewed leadership structure built on inclusiveness and collective responsibility.
The convention followed years of internal leadership disputes that split the party into rival factions. Court rulings earlier in March 2026 invalidated a previous convention held in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria, prompting the Abuja gathering. Despite ongoing legal challenges, the Wike-aligned group mobilised delegates to confirm new leadership.
The newly constituted National Working Committee is expected to focus on reconciliation efforts and preparations for the 2027 elections.
