PDP Governors Snub Wike-led PDP faction Convention

By Ayodele Oni 

Despite the boycott by Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde, Kabiru Turaki, and other factional members,  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has re-elected Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu as the national chairman and secretary, respectively.

Mohammed, Anyanwu and other members of the national working committee (NWC) were re-elected through consensus on Sunday during the elective national convention held at the velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The national officers were re-elected after Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, moved a motion to dissolve the national caretaker committee.

Speaking at the convention, Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa, appealed to aggrieved members to return to the party.

“We are willing to forgive everyone. Come back, stay focused, and return to the PDP,” he said.

Bukola Saraki, former senate president, said the PDP remained vibrant and resilient.

“The PDP is alive, active, and here to stay. It is deeply rooted in this country and firmly in the minds of Nigerians.”

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader in the house of representatives, urged members to unite to reclaim power in 2027.

“We need to recover the power that we have lost. We must come together to recover our country. Every member has a responsibility.”

Abba Moro, senate minority leader, said members who rejected the peace efforts have all abandoned the party.

“Those who insisted there would be no peace in the PDP have all negotiated their way out of the party. We now have only two governors.” said. He commended Wike for remaining committed to the party.

“Wike has remained steadfast in the PDP. He must be commended,” Moro said.

In his remarks, Wike urged members to commit to rebuilding the party, adding that leadership required responsibility and dedication.

Wike, who expressed confidence that the party would field candidates in the 2027 elections,maintained that the PDP would reclaim its mandate from those who defected to other parties.

The opposition party is polarised into two factions. On Friday, the faction led by Kabiru Turaki asked the supreme court to restrain the Wike camp from holding the national convention.