PDP Convention: Wike Bloc Tightens Grip, Installs New NWC in Abuja

By Frontline Reporters

In a dramatic show of strength and strategy, the Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday took firm control of the party’s structure, unveiling a new National Working Committee (NWC) at a high-stakes convention in Abuja.

The event, held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, drew over 2,500 delegates from across the country, as loyalists from Kebbi, Ekiti, Bauchi and several other states rallied behind the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in what many observers describe as a decisive moment in the PDP’s long-running internal power struggle.

The newly constituted 19-member NWC—aligned with provisions of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended)—is expected to steer the party’s affairs for the next four years, with a clear mandate to rebuild, reposition, and reclaim political relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frontline Reporters gathered that the emergence of the new leadership followed a carefully orchestrated consensus arrangement, underscoring Wike’s growing influence within the opposition party.

At the centre of the new leadership is Abdulrahman Mohammed, who assumes office as National Chairman, alongside a full complement of key officers spanning administration, finance, publicity, legal affairs, youth and women leadership.

Despite the outward display of unity at the convention, cracks within the party were impossible to ignore. While delegates from states like Benue, Ekiti, Ogun and Kebbi participated actively, others—including Edo and Gombe—boycotted the exercise, citing legal disputes and unresolved internal grievances.

In Sokoto, the crisis took a sharper turn as a faction loyal to Umar Bature defied the state leadership’s boycott directive and joined the convention, further exposing deepening divisions within the party’s ranks.

Yet, amid the tension, party heavyweights struck a conciliatory tone. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and Wike himself all called for urgent reconciliation, urging members to set aside differences and unite for the party’s survival.

Saraki, pointing to the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), described the convention as legitimate and a turning point for the PDP. He stressed that the party now has a credible platform to contest and win in 2027.

“This is our moment to rebuild and move forward,” he declared, urging aggrieved members to return and strengthen the party from within.

Wike, in his address, praised grassroots members for their unwavering loyalty despite years of internal turmoil, declaring that the PDP was entering a new era of “renewal, inclusiveness, and unity.”

According to him, “The renaissance of this party has begun. Together, we will rebuild a platform that reflects the true aspirations of Nigerians.”

However, dissenting voices remained firm. Edo PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi dismissed the convention as illegal, citing a pending Supreme Court case and warning that the exercise could undermine the rule of law.

Similarly, Gombe PDP leaders stayed away, insisting that unresolved issues must first be addressed before participation.

Meanwhile, in a parallel move to stabilize the party, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has been appointed to head a high-powered reconciliation committee tasked with resolving lingering disputes and preparing the PDP for the next electoral cycle.

The Abuja convention marks the latest chapter in a prolonged leadership crisis that has split the PDP into rival factions over the past three years. Despite ongoing legal battles and political maneuvering, Sunday’s event signals a bold attempt by the Wike camp to assert dominance and chart a new course for the party.

Whether this move will unify the PDP or deepen its fractures remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: the battle for the soul of Nigeria’s main opposition party is far from over.