The spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Mr. Lere Olayinka, has confirmed the presence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials at the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention.
The event is ongoing at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, where party delegates are gathered for leadership elections and strategic engagements.
The convention, organised by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, commenced on Sunday, with delegates arriving at the stadium’s velodrome. Party members, dressed in PDP-branded attire, were seen undergoing accreditation and security screening at designated points.
Top party figures, including Wike, caretaker committee chairman, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, were present at the venue, which was decorated with PDP colours and symbols. The two-day convention is expected to produce party officials who will lead the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on his X handle, Olayinka said, “INEC is represented here by two National Commissioners, Prof Sani Adams (SAN), and Dr Ken Ukeagu. Also present are Director EPM, Joan Arabs; Director Legal, Rakiya Nauzo; and Director Drafting and Clearance, Nkechi Abuh. Others include Mustapha Abubakar, Deputy Director Party Legal and Liaison; Mas’ud Hassan; Rakiya Dattijo; Umar Hassan; and Babangida Shanu.”
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The convention is taking place amid internal party crises and ongoing legal disputes over a previous convention organised by the governor bloc in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.
Under the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), the National Working Committee comprises 19 members, including the National Chairman, Deputy Chairman, National Secretary and Deputy, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Organising Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Auditor, Legal Adviser, Woman Leader, Youth Leader, and National Vice Chairmen.
The Wike-backed faction adopted a consensus approach to select candidates for the leadership positions, which will guide the party for the next four years. Wike confirmed that reconciliation efforts would continue after the convention, noting that internal disagreements are normal in a large political party.
Despite ongoing legal challenges, the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC), reportedly supported by Wike, said no court order has been received to halt the convention. The committee’s spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, maintained that all legal and procedural requirements had been met.
Mohammed said, “The National Caretaker Working Committee has worked tirelessly to ensure that this convention is credible, transparent, and inclusive, reflecting the collective aspirations of our members nationwide. All arrangements have been concluded to guarantee a smooth, peaceful, and successful exercise.
“The PDP remains a law-abiding institution committed to strengthening democracy in Nigeria. On recent attempts by certain individuals to disrupt this process, we urge members to remain calm and focused. The party has consistently extended the hand of reconciliation, which remains open, but we will not allow the progress and stability of our great party to be undermined.”
