Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured Nigerians that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will proceed with its National Convention on March 29 and 30 as planned, while reconciliation efforts with aggrieved members will continue afterward.
Speaking after inspecting the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja on Friday night—the designated convention venue—Wike dismissed a Supreme Court appeal by the Tanimu Turaki group, stating it has no bearing on proceedings.
He was accompanied by key PDP figures, including Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Okezie Ikpeazu; PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; Chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC), Mohammed Abdulrahman; National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Rivers State Elders Council Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche.
Wike emphasised that the PDP remains a big tent party amid internal tensions. “There is room for accommodation. The PDP is a very large party. Look at the umbrella, it is wide enough to accommodate everyone,” he said. “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 positions have been allocated regionally to foster unity. “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 added. “For the first time, the PDP is presenting a unified front, rather than the usual ‘unity list’ that often reflects internal divisions. There are no factions everyone has agreed on the direction we are taking.”
Wike also predicted a strong PDP resurgence. The party, he said, will “shock Nigerians by using the 2027 general elections to show its strength.”
On preparations, the minister expressed confidence. “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 two-day convention kicks off Sunday, March 29, signaling a pivotal moment for the opposition party’s leadership transition.