A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has made significant progress in resolving the party's leadership crisis. On Sunday, approximately 2,500 delegates gathered in Abuja and endorsed a 19-member National Working Committee (NWC) led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary. The move is aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The newly affirmed leadership includes several key positions, including Deputy National Chairman, Deputy National Secretary, National Treasurer, and Deputy National Treasurer. Other members of the NWC are also set to take up their roles. The development marks a significant step for the Wike-aligned group, which has controlled the party's caretaker structure since late 2025.
The faction had earlier constituted a Caretaker Committee that positioned Mohammed and Anyanwu in acting capacities. However, the Sunday convention converted those roles into full four-year terms through a consensus arrangement. Wike reportedly played a central role in facilitating the consensus, including appeals to other aspirants to step aside.
The gathering comes amid ongoing divisions within the PDP. A rival faction, associated with figures such as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has rejected the legitimacy of the Wike-backed process and indicated plans to pursue further legal action.
The successful ratification of the new NWC is a crucial step in restoring order within the PDP, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to heal the party's deep divisions. The ongoing leadership crisis has left the party vulnerable to challenges from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP's ability to reconcile its various factions and present a united front will be crucial in determining its chances in the 2027 general elections. The party's leadership must now focus on rebuilding and repositioning itself as a credible alternative to the APC.
