Wike’s Camp Takes Control as PDP Unveils New Leadership

Delegates from Kebbi, Ekiti, Bauchi and several other states on Sunday led proceedings at the 2026 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The convention, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja, saw the unveiling of 19 members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), in a move aimed at repositioning the opposition platform.

Structure and mandate

The PDP Constitution (2017, as amended) provides for a 19-member NWC, comprising key leadership roles including National Chairman, Deputy National Chairmen (North and South), National Secretary and Deputy, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Organising Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, Auditor, Woman Leader, Youth Leader, and National Vice Chairmen.

The Wike-backed bloc had earlier adopted a consensus approach in selecting candidates to lead the party for the next four years.

Full list of NWC members

Over 2,500 delegates affirmed the following officials:

National Chairman: Abdulrahman Mohammed

Deputy National Chairman (South): Aaron Chukwuemeka

Deputy National Chairman (North): Yusufu Akirikwen

National Secretary: Anyanwu Samuel

Deputy National Secretary: Kolawale Olabisi

National Treasurer: Odeyemei Oladiran

Deputy National Treasurer: Lado Marke

National Financial Secretary: Eyim Henry

Deputy National Financial Secretary: Grema Kyari

National Organising Secretary: Umar Bature

Deputy National Organising Secretary: Efere Augustine

National Publicity Secretary: Jungudo Mohammed

Deputy National Publicity Secretary: Egwu Chidiebere

National Legal Adviser: Kamaldeen Ajibade

Deputy National Legal Adviser: Aloysius Uba

National Auditor: Osuoha Donatus

Deputy National Auditor: Adaba Yatu

National Youth Leader: Ibrahim Aboki

Deputy National Youth Leader: Momoh Bashir

National Women Leader: Ogunshe Adedayo

Deputy National Women Leader: Hauwa Shinge

Participation and boycott

Attendance reflected both support and division within the party. Delegates from Benue, Ekiti, Ogun and other states participated, while those from Edo State and some others boycotted the convention.

In Sokoto, a faction aligned with Umar Bature defied the boycott directive, deepening internal rifts.

The Sokoto faction, led by Abubakar Danmafara, rejected claims of non-participation, countering earlier statements by Hassan Sanyinnawal.

Similarly, the Ekiti bloc, led by former governor Ayo Fayose, participated, with state chairman Lanre Omolase affirming the gathering’s legitimacy.

Delegates from Benue, led by former governor Samuel Ortom, also attended.

In Kebbi, State Secretary Abubakar Bawa Kalgo confirmed full participation.

From Oyo, party chieftain and former deputy governor Hazeem Gbolarumi described the convention as well attended nationwide.

However, Gombe PDP chairman Mamman Kwaskebe said delegates from the state stayed away due to unresolved issues.

Edo State chairman Tony Aziegbemi also rejected the convention, describing it as illegal and citing a pending Supreme Court case.

In Ogun State, Secretary Sunday Solarin confirmed mixed participation, noting that Chairman Abayomi Tella and 2023 governorship candidate Oladipupo Adebutu were present in Abuja.

Calls for unity

Key party leaders, including former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, called for reconciliation and unity.

Mr Ikpeazu, who chaired the convention planning committee, stressed that reconciliation is fundamental to the party’s survival.

Mr Saraki urged members to unite, noting the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission as validation of the convention.

Mr Wike, in his remarks, commended grassroots loyalty and called for inclusiveness, unity, and renewal within the party.

Bauchi developments

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed was named chairman of a reconciliation and strategy committee set up to resolve internal disputes.

State chairman Samaila Burga said the committee has one week to address lingering issues ahead of the 2027 elections.

Legal backdrop

The convention comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP. The party had split into factions, including one backed by governors such as Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, which held a separate convention in Ibadan where Tanimu Turaki emerged.

A Court of Appeal ruling on 9 March invalidated that Ibadan convention, while another panel led by Biobele Georgewill urged reconciliation.

Despite ongoing legal battles, including a pending Supreme Court case, the Wike bloc proceeded with the Abuja convention, affirming a new leadership team to steer the party forward.