WIKE TO MAKINDE, BALA MOHAMMED: We’re In Charge Of PDP, We’ll Negotiate From Position Of Strength

| Party’s NEC fixes presidential primary for May 23

By ADEMU IDAKWO, IGHO OYOYO, WAHEED ADEBAYO

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his camp remains firmly in control of the machinery of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that any reconciliation within the party would be pursued from a position of strength.

Wike spoke yesterday while addressing members of the PDP National Assembly Caucus led by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, and House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who visited him at his residence in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said although his group is open to reconciliation, negotiations must be based on honesty, sincerity and transparency.

“PDP will never die. There comes a time when crises occur, but those moments help a party to put itself in order. We are for reconciliation, but genuine reconciliation,” Wike said.

He challenged party leaders advocating peace to present clear proposals rather than engage in what he described as secretive negotiations.

.“When you are talking about reconciliation, come with your terms so that we will know what you want. Not like the last time you came to me and before I knew it you were in Ibadan for the convention.

“I don’t like those who go to negotiate at night and come out to shout in the daytime. Those coming for peace should come openly,” he added.

Wike also dismissed accusations that his role in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration makes him a “mole” within the PDP.

“It was as if I was the cause of the problem because I am working in an APC administration, but those who accused me are today in APC while I have remained in the PDP,” he said.

The minister further insisted that the party’s national convention must go ahead as planned, rejecting suggestions that another caretaker committee be constituted to placate aggrieved members.

“The party is working hard for the convention to hold.

The venue has been secured and necessary arrangements made. Nobody should suggest another caretaker committee. The convention must be held and everyone will be allowed to participate,” he said.

Reacting to threats by some members to challenge recent court rulings at the Supreme Court, Wike said the party was prepared for any legal battle.

“The court is for everybody. Even in table tennis someone must lose. There is no tie. We have the upper hand and we will state clearly what we want,” he added.

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro acknowledged Wike’s influence within the PDP and appealed for compromise in resolving the crisis.

“I bring you solidarity from the National Assembly caucus of our great party. We have always been in the forefront of efforts to ensure a united PDP,” Moro said.

He disclosed that he had earlier met with the faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki in a bid to explore possible solutions to the leadership dispute.

According to him, the survival of the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections must take precedence over individual ambitions.

“Whether I contest election in 2027 or not, the survival of the PDP is paramount to me. Everyone must be ready to make sacrifices,” he said.

House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda described the recent Court of Appeal judgment as significant for both the PDP and Nigeria’s democracy.

“For us, the judgment is not just for the PDP but for democracy in the country. Many members left the party because they doubted the viability of the platform, but the ruling has restored confidence,” Chinda said.

He added that lawmakers in the House of Representatives who had earlier defected from the party might soon reconsider their positions.

“Yes, we crave peace, but whoever seeks peace must also seek justice. That is the only thing that can give us sustained peace,” he stated.

On his part, the hairman of the PDP Forum of State Chairmen and Imo State PDP Chairman, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, said state party leaders were satisfied with the current direction of the party.

He urged the leadership to adopt technological reforms in membership registration in line with provisions of the amended Electoral Act.

“My colleagues who are state chairmen said they are pleased with the way things are going in the party. We also urge the party to critically examine the amended Electoral Act, particularly regarding membership registration,” he said.

Meanwhile, the factional National Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, insisted that the party’s current leadership structure remains the only authentic leadership recognised by the courts.

Speaking at the 106th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Mohammed said recent judgements of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the legitimacy of the existing leadership arrangement.

“Judicial pronouncements have clearly established that the authentic leadership of the PDP remains the structure presently constituted, with my humble self serving as national chairman working with our acting national secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, and other members of the National Working Committee,” he said.

Mohammed also accused certain elements within the party of spreading false narratives about the court rulings.

He dismissed claims that the courts upheld the suspension of the acting national secretary, describing the reports as misleading and aimed at creating confusion among members.

“The claim that the courts upheld the suspension of our acting national secretary is completely false and misleading,” he said.

The chairman urged party leaders to remain focused on strengthening the PDP as a credible opposition platform capable of offering an alternative vision for governance.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP has set up a reconciliation committee to address internal disputes and restore unity within the party.

The decision was part of resolutions reached at the end of an expanded emergency meeting of the BoT in Abuja and announced in a communiqué presented by its Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara.

According to the communiqué, the committee will engage aggrieved stakeholders, legal teams and party leaders to resolve disputes affecting the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite expressing disagreement with the Court of Appeal judgment that invalidated the November 15–16, 2025 national convention which produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee, the BoT said it would seek legal advice on the next line of action.

“As the conscience of the party and the third highest organ of the PDP, the BoT is committed to reconciling all stakeholders and restoring the party to good political health,” the communiqué stated.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan had earlier advised parties involved in the dispute over the PDP elective convention to explore peaceful settlement.

The panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill granted leave for the parties to pursue reconciliation and adjourned the matter indefinitely to allow them time to reach an agreement.

Speaking after the court session, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Sunday Ibrahim, said the parties had shown willingness to attempt settlement following the court’s directive.

“The parties have indicated readiness to attempt settlement, and the court has adjourned the matter sine die for them to meet and report back if they reach an agreement,” he said.

Another senior lawyer, Musibau Adetunmbi, also confirmed that all pending motions relating to the PDP elective convention had been adjourned sine die to allow room for the settlement process.

PDP Faction Fixes Presidential Primary for May 23, 2026, Sets Timeline for 2027 Elections

By IGHO OYOYO, Abuja

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has scheduled its presidential primary for May 23, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections, signalling the commencement of what party officials described as a crucial internal selection process.

The decision was reached at the party’s 106th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, where leaders approved a comprehensive timetable for all primary elections in compliance with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Presenting the communiqué after the meeting, the caretaker committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, outlined the approved schedule.

“NEC approved the conduct of party primaries for the various elective offices and the timelines for the resolution of disputes arising from such primaries.

“NEC urged all organs and stakeholders of the party to commence the necessary preparations and ensure strict adherence to the approved timelines and all relevant statutory provisions,” the communiqué stated.

According to the timetable, the party will submit its membership register to INEC on April 10, 2026. State Houses of Assembly primaries will follow on May 2, while National Assembly primaries are scheduled for May 9. Governorship primaries will hold on May 16, culminating in the presidential primary on May 23.

“NEC received and noted the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections as issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which require that the notice of election be issued not later than 300 days before the date of election,” the communiqué added.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, where a new National Working Committee will be elected. Members expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the recent ward and local government congresses.