Nyesom Wike Signals Reconciliation Drive as PDP Prepares for Unified 2026 National Convention in Abuja

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike confirms the PDP will engage aggrieved members for a unified 2026 National Convention in Abuja following major court rulings.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 7:11 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

A Call for Inclusivity and Party Cohesion

During a final inspection of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome on Friday, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike emphasized the PDP's commitment to internal reconciliation. Addressing the media, Wike characterized the party as a "large umbrella" capable of sheltering diverse interests despite recent internal frictions. He acknowledged that grievances are an inherent part of any large political organization but stressed that the leadership is prepared to "sit down" with aggrieved members to find common ground. This outreach is seen as a strategic necessity as the party attempts to move past years of debilitating legal battles and factional infighting.

Navigating the Legal and Leadership Crisis

The road to the 2026 convention has been marred by a protracted leadership tussle that reached a boiling point last week. The Court of Appeal recently nullified the results of a November 2025 convention held in Ibadan, which had seen Tanimu Turaki (SAN) emerge as National Chairman. That convention, largely supported by a faction loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, was ruled to have breached the Electoral Act and party constitution. Wike’s current caretaker-aligned leadership has leveraged this ruling to consolidate control, framing the upcoming Abuja gathering as the definitive path toward a legally sound National Working Committee.

Consensus and the 2027 Strategic Roadmap

In a significant departure from previous years characterized by "unity lists" and internal parallel congresses, Wike asserted that the party is now presenting a truly unified front. A key component of this stability is a consensus arrangement for the 2027 general elections: the party has officially zoned its presidency to the Southern region, while the National Chairmanship is reserved for the North. By establishing these zoning parameters ahead of the convention, the PDP aims to mitigate the "ego and ambition" that President Bola Tinubu recently warned could lead to the failure of political parties.