The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed it will take part in the party’s forthcoming national convention scheduled for March 29, 2026, in Abuja, following internal consultations among key stakeholders.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday, governorship aspirant and party chieftain, Ali Ahmad, said the decision was reached after a crucial meeting of the State Executive Committee involving aspirants and other stakeholders.
“The meeting was very critical, and we deliberated extensively on whether delegates from Kwara should participate in the Abuja convention, especially after our attendance at the Ibadan convention last November,” Ahmad said.
He noted that discussions centred on whether it was appropriate for the state chapter to attend another convention so soon after participating in the Ibadan gathering.
“We considered whether, having attended the Ibadan convention last November, it was still proper for us to take part in another national convention fixed for March 29, 2026,” he stated.
According to him, stakeholders also weighed the potential consequences of their decision for both the state chapter and the party at the national level.
“Following our discussions on whether to attend, we also examined what our next line of action should be after taking a position on the convention,” he added.
Ahmad disclosed that all participants at the meeting reached a unanimous agreement to attend the Abuja convention.
“The stakeholders were unanimous in their resolutions after the deliberations,” he said, adding that it was agreed the state chapter would fully participate in the Abuja convention.
“We agreed that we should send our delegates to participate fully in the coming national convention in Abuja on March 29,” Ahmad stated.
He further explained that the stakeholders resolved to assess the outcome of the convention afterwards, particularly in relation to legal compliance and recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“It was also decided that if the national convention is successful and witnessed by the regulatory body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, as required by law, then we will hold another meeting to review the situation,” he said.
Ahmad said the conclusions from that review would determine the party’s strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“After that review, we will recommend to our leader whether to use the PDP as the platform for us to contest the 2027 general elections,” he added.
Reaffirming confidence in the party’s strength, Ahmad described the PDP as a dominant political force across Kwara State.
“We concluded that the PDP remains a very popular, credible, well-known, widely accepted and solid platform in all the 16 local government areas of our state,” he said.
He maintained that ongoing issues at the national level have not diminished the party’s influence in the state.
“No other political party can match its reach and acceptability in Kwara State, and the party here has remained unaffected by the developments at the national level,” Ahmad added.
The party stalwart also appreciated members and leaders for their continued commitment.
“We thank our leaders and all members of the party for their steadfastness, resilience, loyalty and devotion to the PDP in Kwara State,” he said.
Providing context for the current stance, Ahmad recalled that the state chapter’s earlier participation in the Ibadan convention was conditional on adherence to legal requirements.
“When the first tendency held its convention, we attended, subject to the condition that it abided by the laws of the land,” he said.
He explained that concerns emerged during the Ibadan event when it appeared due process might not have been followed.
“In the course of the convention, when we discovered that the Independent National Electoral Commission was not present around 6 to 7pm, we said we could not be part of a gathering that was not properly recognised,” Ahmad stated.
He added that the controversy was later resolved through a ruling by the Court of Appeal.
“Upon that, the Court of Appeal decided that the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led tendency is now the one recognised by law in Nigeria, and at that point, we aligned ourselves accordingly,” he said.
Ahmad emphasised that the Kwara PDP’s position is guided by legality and loyalty to the party.
“Our principle is that we are in love with the PDP, and we will not leave the party unless we come to the conclusion that it is no longer a viable vehicle to contest elections in Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed that the party remains a viable platform at present.
“That is not happening today because the law recognises the Abdulrahman-led PDP, and the Kwara State chapter remains a viable platform,” Ahmad added.
He advised members to either align with the party’s direction or exit.
“Whoever feels otherwise has two options: either to leave the party, like in some other states, or to attend the convention in Abuja,” he stated.
“If you are not exiting the PDP today, then you have to attend the convention,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP Council of Elders in Kwara State, Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani, insisted that the party remains united despite internal disagreements.
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“We elders and the people of Kwara State agree that PDP in Kwara State is one. There is no division,” he said.
He acknowledged that disputes are inevitable but maintained that unity prevails.
“No matter what you do, there may be a quarrel between two brothers, but in the end, we are all one,” Balogun Fulani said.
He expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
“The party is the vehicle that we are going to use to contest the 2027 general elections, and we believe that all our candidates will emerge victorious,” he said.
The development comes against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level, which has split the party into rival factions following the controversial Ibadan convention in November 2025.
That convention, held amid conflicting court orders, produced a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki.
However, its legitimacy was challenged by a rival group that later formed a caretaker committee under Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The dispute escalated on March 9, 2026, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified the Ibadan convention, ruling that it contravened provisions of the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP constitution.
The judgment invalidated the Turaki-led leadership and affirmed the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee.
Following the ruling, the caretaker committee fixed fresh convention dates for March 29 and 30, 2026, in Abuja—a move that has continued to stir debate within the party.
As preparations continue, the decision by the Kwara PDP to participate highlights efforts by some state chapters to align with the legally recognised leadership, even as the broader crisis within the party persists.