The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will proceed with its national convention as scheduled on March 29 and 30, emphasizing that efforts to reconcile aggrieved members will continue even after the event. Wike expressed confidence that the party will make a strong comeback in the 2027 general elections, predicting it will “shock Nigerians” with its performance.
Speaking on Friday night after inspecting the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja, the venue for the convention, Wike dismissed a Supreme Court appeal by a faction led by Tanimu Turaki, saying it would not affect the convention. He emphasized that resolving internal disputes is an ongoing process, stressing the importance of accommodating all party members.
“There is room for accommodation. The PDP is a very large party. Look at the umbrella, it is wide enough to accommodate everyone,” Wike said. He added, “I have always said that in any group, there will be grievances. You cannot expect that in a family of two or three people, everyone will always be satisfied, let alone a party with millions of members. There will always be a few who are not happy. We have agreed to sit down with them, understand their concerns, and see how we can accommodate them. What is most important is the overall interest of the party.”
On zoning, Wike confirmed that key positions have been shared among regions to ensure balance. “We have already zoned our positions. Every zone has its own slots. The presidency has been zoned to the South, while the chairmanship is zoned to the North. We believe this consensus arrangement will make the process easier,” he said. He highlighted that, unlike previous occasions, the PDP is presenting a unified front rather than relying on a “unity list” that reflects internal divisions.
Wike also provided an update on convention preparations, stating, “We are fully prepared. This visit is to assess final arrangements. As I said, we are about 95 percent ready, and by tomorrow, everything will be set. Seating arrangements for all states have been completed, and the VIP section is ready. We do not expect more than 2,500 delegates.”
The PDP national convention is scheduled to hold in Abuja on Sunday and Monday, with party leaders aiming to solidify unity and set the stage for the 2027 electoral contests.
