A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Nyesom Wike has installed a new National Working Committee (NWC) during a convention held in Abuja, further highlighting divisions within the opposition party.
The convention, which took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, saw the emergence of 19 officials into the party’s national leadership structure, in line with provisions of the PDP constitution.
Delegates from several states, including Kebbi, Ekiti and Bauchi, participated in the exercise, with over 2,500 attendees affirming the newly selected officials who are expected to steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.
Abdulrahman Mohammed emerged as National Chairman, alongside other key officers filling positions such as national secretary, treasurer, organising secretary, publicity secretary and youth leader.
Despite the turnout, the convention exposed ongoing fractures within the party, as some state chapters, including Edo, boycotted the exercise, describing it as illegal due to pending litigation.
The crisis also played out across states like Sokoto and Gombe, where factions within the party disagreed on participation, underscoring the depth of internal disagreements.
Prominent party leaders at the event, including Bukola Saraki and Okezie Ikpeazu, called for unity and reconciliation, urging members to close ranks ahead of future elections.
Saraki noted that the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission lent credibility to the gathering and encouraged aggrieved members to rejoin the process.
Wike, on his part, said the convention marked a turning point for the party, stressing the need for inclusiveness, unity and renewal in rebuilding the PDP.
The development follows months of leadership crisis within the party, including a rival convention held in Ibadan by another faction, which was later nullified by the Court of Appeal.
Although reconciliation efforts are ongoing, the parallel actions by opposing blocs suggest that the PDP’s internal struggle for control remains unresolved.
