Wike-backed PDP faction meets to discuss convention today

File: FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party will on Sunday convene a meeting in Abuja to discuss caretaker arrangements and plans for a national convention.

Some top members of the faction told Sunday PUNCH that the meeting is intended to plan ahead of the December 9 expiration of the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee elected in 2021.

This comes as the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP NWC, elected at the Ibadan national convention following the shutdown of the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters, has opened a new secretariat.

PDP governors, including Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), had supported the Ibadan convention, during which Turaki, SAN, and other NWC members were elected on November 16 to serve a four-year term.

However, Wike-backed Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu maintain that they remain the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, arguing that the Ibadan convention was not legally convened.

Although PDP governors ensured that former National Chairman Umar Damagum handed over to Turaki before December 9—the date his tenure was due to end—the Wike-led faction, according to reliable sources, is also determined to hold its own meeting and take steps to sustain the ongoing power struggle.

A prominent member of the faction, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that several party leaders loyal to Wike had already arrived in Abuja for the meeting.

He stated, “As leaders and stakeholders of this party, we cannot fold our hands and watch things deteriorate. You know the original tenure is supposed to end and terminate on the 9th of December.

So, ahead of the date, the leaders are going to meet.

“As we speak, our people are already in Abuja. We are scheduled to meet on Sunday through Monday, where we will deliberate on all the important issues affecting the party.

“We will take decisions to put the leadership in proper perspective and position because we are fully aware that the tenure will end soon. We cannot just fold our hands and allow things to slide. All issues will be on the table. We will consider several conversations around setting up a caretaker committee, convention, NEC, and other congresses in the states, all of which will form the front burner and top our agenda for discussion.

“This is because the PDP remains a formidable party, and we will not allow a few individuals to hijack it for their selfish interests ahead of the 2027 election. Our collective responsibility is to safeguard internal democracy, protect our structure, and ensure that fairness, unity, and respect for due process guide every step we take moving forward.”

Another member of the Turaki-led NWC confirmed they were aware of Wike’s camp plans to establish a caretaker committee.

He said, “We are fully aware of what they are planning. We know that their plan is to set up a caretaker committee, and they are already preparing to meet on Sunday and Monday.

“This illegality will not stand the test of time, so we are not particularly bothered about it, as the rightful process and established party structures will ultimately prevail.”

Since the PDP’s Wadata Plaza national secretariat was shut down on November 19 following the power tussle between the two factions, the Turaki-led NWC has set up a temporary operational base in Abuja.

The makeshift office is situated on Owo Close, near AMAC in Area 10, Abuja. For now, the Turaki-led executives are running the party’s affairs from this facility until Wadata Plaza is reopened for official activities.

Abdulrahman has nearly ten years of experience reporting on political parties, elections, religion, civil society organizations, the Nigeria Governors Forum, and more

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