By Joy Onu
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed March 28 and 29, 2026, for its National Convention in Abuja, a move widely seen as a critical step toward resolving the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.
The decision was reached on Monday at the 105th meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), held in Abuja, where members reviewed internal party affairs, the political environment, and recent judicial developments.
NEC reaffirmed all resolutions adopted at its Emergency 104th meeting held on December 7, 2025, insisting that all actions taken since then remain valid, lawful, and binding. The committee said the resolutions were taken in strict compliance with the PDP Constitution, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act, and relevant court rulings.
The party also reaffirmed its confidence in the independence of the judiciary and welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, which upheld the legality of the party’s leadership arrangement and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Abdulrahman Muhammed-led National Caretaker Committee.
NEC further reaffirmed the legitimacy of the National Caretaker Committee, with Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu as Secretary, stating that it remains the only lawful national administrative organ of the party pending the conduct of the National Convention.
In preparation for the convention, NEC approved the timetable for party congresses nationwide. Ward and local government congresses are scheduled for February, while state congresses will take place in March. The National Caretaker Committee was directed to issue detailed guidelines and modalities for the exercise in line with party rules, INEC regulations, and subsisting court directives.
The committee also approved the extension of the tenure of the National Caretaker Working Committee, as well as affected state and zonal caretaker committees, pending the conduct of the National Convention and subsequent congresses.
NEC mandated the immediate activation of convention sub-committees and directed the commencement of full logistical, administrative, and consultative preparations to ensure a transparent, inclusive, and credible convention.
The decision comes amid deep-seated leadership tussles within the PDP, characterised by competing claims to party offices and a series of court battles that have weakened party cohesion. Party leaders, however, expressed optimism that the March convention would mark a turning point in restoring unity, internal democracy, and electoral competitiveness.
