The Peoples Democratic Party's factional national convention is underway at the Velodrome, Moshood Abiola International Stadium in Abuja. The event, being organised by a faction of the party led by Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is heavily secured with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
Notable chieftains of the party, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Kogi East Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido, Senator Abba Moro, and Minority Leader in the House of Representatives Kingsley Chinda, are in attendance. The convention is expected to be attended by a total of 2,500 delegates, who will elect candidates to fill more than 20 positions in the National Working Committee of the PDP.
The seating arrangements for delegates from various states have been organised in alphabetical order to facilitate a seamless voting process. Delegates from several states, including Osun, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Rivers, Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Kogi, Plateau, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory, have already taken their seats.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has a delegation on ground to monitor the proceedings of the elective convention. The theme of the national convention is "A Convention of Inclusiveness, Unity, and Renewal."
The factional national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, being held under heavy security, raises questions about the party's commitment to internal democracy. The presence of notable chieftains, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, underscores the party's efforts to maintain unity despite internal divisions. However, the convention's theme of inclusiveness and renewal seems at odds with the factional nature of the event. The outcome of the convention will have significant implications for the party's future, particularly in the context of the 2023 general elections.
