Wike-backed PDP faction rolls out convention timetable despite internal dispute

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has insisted it will go ahead with its planned National Convention despite ongoing reconciliation efforts within the party.

This position was made public by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, during a pre-convention press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mohammed stressed that the convention scheduled for March 29–30 remains unchanged, describing it as sacrosanct. He noted that reconciliation efforts would not interfere with the caretaker committee’s mandate to conduct the exercise.

He recalled that representatives of opposing groups were earlier informed that two issues are non-negotiable: the existence of the caretaker committee and the conduct of the National Convention.

According to him, preparations will begin with the release of names of members of the National Convention Planning and Organising Committee and its subcommittees, which will oversee critical areas such as security, accreditation, media, and electoral matters.

He added that all committees will be inaugurated on March 21, while the Zoning Committee will meet the following day to determine how party positions will be distributed across geopolitical zones.

An emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting is scheduled for March 23, after which the sale of nomination forms will commence and end on March 25. Appeals arising from the screening process will be heard on March 26.

Ahead of the main event, a pre-convention cocktail will be held on March 28, while the convention itself will take place on March 29–30, in line with electoral guidelines, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) already notified and involved in monitoring earlier party processes.