A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to hold state congresses starting January 9, 2026, ahead of its national convention. The group also challenged the legitimacy of the November 15–16 national convention held in Ibadan by the faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the factional National Caretaker Committee, spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the party’s state congresses would precede the national convention, with no formal date set for the latter. “The NWC has approved the calendar for the conduct of state congresses starting from January 9th, 2026, after which the national convention follows,” Mohammed said.
States slated for fresh congresses include Borno, Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Delta, Taraba, Kano, and Lagos.
The communique also announced the expansion of the National Caretaker Committee, adding the following members: Professor Adenike Ogunse as Women Leader, Engineer Deji Dohati as Deputy National Secretary, Senator Olaka Nwaogu as Treasurer, Honorable Jungu Haruna Mohammed as Publicity Secretary, and Ambassador Dr. Ibrahim Bala-Aboki as Youth Leader.
Mohammed further questioned the recognition of the Turaki-led PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said the documents presented by that faction were outdated and signed by former national chairman Amb. Illya Damagum and former national secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu. “Not until the INEC code is produced, it should be known that the Turaki group is not recognized, and whatever they claim is a nullity and falsehood,” he stated.
The Wike-aligned faction insisted that Abdulrahman Mohammed heads the only legitimate PDP and warned against any actions that could discredit the party.