The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday unveiled a new National Working Committee (NWC) during its 2026 National Convention held in Abuja, in a move backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The convention, which took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome, saw the emergence of 19 national officers tasked with steering the affairs of the opposition party for the next four years.
The development follows a consensus arrangement reportedly adopted by the Wike-aligned faction of the party.
Leading the newly constituted NWC is Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman, alongside other key officials including Aaron Chukwuemeka (Deputy National Chairman, South), Yusufu Akirikwen (Deputy National Chairman, North), and Anyanwu Samuel as National Secretary.
More than 2,500 delegates from various states participated in affirming the new leadership, although the exercise exposed lingering cracks within the party.
While states such as Kebbi, Ekiti, Bauchi, and Benue were actively represented, others—including Edo and Gombe—boycotted the convention, citing legal and internal concerns.
The Edo State chapter, led by Tony Aziegbemi, described the gathering as незакон (illegal), pointing to a pending Supreme Court case on the party’s leadership crisis.
Similarly, officials in Gombe State stayed away over unresolved internal disputes.
In Sokoto State, the crisis took a different turn as a faction led by Abubakar Danmafara defied the official boycott directive and attended the convention, further highlighting divisions within the party structure.
Despite the disagreements, prominent party figures used the occasion to push for unity.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki urged aggrieved members to join efforts at rebuilding the PDP, emphasizing that the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lent credibility to the convention.
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Also speaking, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu described reconciliation as essential to the party’s survival, calling on members to close ranks and restore trust ahead of future elections.
In his remarks, Wike commended grassroots members for remaining loyal despite the prolonged internal crisis, expressing optimism that the convention marks the beginning of a renewed phase for the party.
The PDP has been grappling with a prolonged leadership tussle that led to the emergence of rival factions.
While one bloc conducted a separate convention in Ibadan in 2025, the Court of Appeal later invalidated that exercise, setting the stage for the Abuja gathering.
Meanwhile, efforts to resolve the crisis continue, with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed now heading a reconciliation committee aimed at uniting party stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As the PDP attempts to reposition itself as a viable opposition force, Sunday’s convention underscores both progress in leadership restructuring and the deep divisions that still threaten party cohesion.