Prosper Okoye
State chairmen of Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party are divided over a national convention scheduled for Sunday in Abuja, highlighting a deepening leadership crisis within the party.
The convention is being organised by a faction aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Tony Aziegbemi, chairman of the PDP in Edo State and head of the party’s forum of state chairmen, said the gathering should not go ahead because of a pending case before the Supreme Court. He warned that proceeding would disregard the rule of law and urged members to boycott the event, alleging that some delegates could be unauthorised.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn Sokoto State, the PDP chapter also said it would not attend. State publicity secretary Hassan Sanyinawal said the chapter would remain neutral in the leadership dispute and had similarly stayed away from an earlier convention in Ibadan.
But other state chapters backed participation.
In Kwara State, party chairman Isa Bawa said stakeholders had agreed to send delegates after internal deliberations, describing the convention as key to determining the party’s next steps. The Kebbi State chapter also confirmed it would attend, with secretary Abubakar Kalgo saying delegates had been mobilised.
Osun State chairman Sunday Bisi said he would try to participate.
About 2,500 delegates are expected at the convention, where the party plans to affirm an acting national leadership, including Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and Acting National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, along with other members of the National Working Committee.
The event is scheduled to hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Wike said reconciliation efforts would continue after the convention, describing internal disagreements as normal in a large party. He dismissed concerns over a Supreme Court appeal linked to a rival faction, saying it would not affect the gathering.
However, divisions widened as governors and key figures aligned with another bloc distanced themselves from the event. A spokesperson for that camp said several senior leaders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, would not attend.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, speaking at a pre-convention meeting with Kwara delegates in Abuja, urged party members to remain united, calling the convention a defining moment in efforts to rebuild ahead of future elections.
The PDP has been grappling with internal divisions in recent years as it seeks to re-establish itself as a competitive force against the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
