The leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened as a faction believed to be backed by Nyesom Wike intensified preparations for a proposed national convention by inspecting the Velodrome at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja ahead of the March 29–30 event.
The inspection was led by the acting national chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, Mohammed Abdulrahman, alongside national secretary Samuel Anyanwu. Abdulrahman said the visit was to assess the venue and ensure adequate arrangements for what he described as a smooth and credible convention following a recent Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute.
Anyanwu assured party members and aspirants that the Appeal Court ruling had affirmed the caretaker committee as the party’s recognised leadership pending the emergence of a new National Working Committee at the convention. He also dismissed concerns over the signing of nomination documents, insisting that the party’s processes remain valid.
Meanwhile, another bloc within the PDP led by former minister Tanimu Turaki convened an expanded meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees to discuss the implications of the court ruling and chart a path forward for the party.
Speaking on behalf of PDP governors, Seyi Makinde acknowledged the party was facing an unprecedented political crisis but expressed optimism that it would pass. Similarly, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urged party leaders to end internal litigation, accept the court ruling, and focus on reconciliation and preparations for future elections.
