PDP Faction Expects 2,500 Delegates at Sunday Convention

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention will proceed as scheduled on March 29 and 30, with about 2,500 delegates expected to attend.

 

Wike stated this on Friday night after inspecting the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja, the venue for the convention, expressing satisfaction with the level of preparedness.

 

He downplayed internal disagreements and ongoing legal disputes, insisting that the appeal filed by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction would not affect the planned gathering.

 

“There is room for accommodation. The PDP is a very large party. The umbrella is wide enough to accommodate everyone,” Wike said, adding that reconciliation efforts would continue beyond the convention.

 

He acknowledged the existence of grievances within the party but stressed that efforts were ongoing to engage aggrieved members and strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

On zoning, Wike disclosed that party positions had already been distributed across regions to ensure balance and consensus.

 

“The presidency has been zoned to the South, while the chairmanship is zoned to the North. This consensus arrangement will make the process smoother,” he said.

 

The minister added that logistical arrangements for the convention were nearing completion, noting that seating and other facilities had been put in place for delegates.

 

“We are fully prepared. We expect about 2,500 delegates, and arrangements are almost complete,” he said.

 

The inspection was attended by key party figures, including Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Okezie Ikpeazu, and Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, among others.

 

The convention comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s structure following the nullification of the Ibadan convention by the Court of Appeal earlier in March.