Wike-Backed PDP National Convention: Abdulrahman, Anyanwu Emerge Consensus National Chairman, Secretary – Sources

The internal struggle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as competing factions moved in parallel directions ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29–30 in Abuja.

Sources within the camp aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed that Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed have emerged as consensus candidates for the positions of National Secretary and National Chairman, respectively, following consultations across geopolitical zones.

According to insiders, the consensus arrangement was reached through zonal alignments that sought to balance interests across the party structure, with Abdulrahman Mohammed positioned as the North-Central’s choice for National Chairman and Anyanwu retained as the South-East’s nominee for National Secretary.

However, the development has intensified tensions within the PDP, as governors and stakeholders aligned with the rival camp rejected the process that produced the consensus slate. The faction backed by governors such as Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State insisted that the process lacked legitimacy and vowed to challenge it through legal channels.

A senior member of the governors’ bloc said the group would rely on constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, and party guidelines to contest what they described as a flawed procedure. The source added that reconciliation talks had broken down after disagreements over participation in the proposed convention process.

The PDP has remained split into two major factions since last year, with one side holding a convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), while the opposing camp set up a National Caretaker structure in response.

The legal dimension of the crisis further escalated after the Court of Appeal nullified the Ibadan convention, affirming earlier judgments that found the process inconsistent with constitutional and party provisions. The ruling effectively invalidated the Turaki-led leadership, further complicating the party’s leadership structure.

Despite a temporary push toward reconciliation, recent developments suggest renewed fragmentation. Meetings held by the Wike-aligned bloc reportedly produced zoning arrangements across regions, with consensus candidates emerging for several National Working Committee positions in addition to the top offices.

Within that framework, Abdulrahman Mohammed’s emergence as National Chairman was reportedly supported by North-Central stakeholders, while zonal leaders across other regions finalized allocations for key party offices.

Party spokespersons have remained cautious in their public comments. A representative of the Turaki-led faction, Ini Ememobong, declined to confirm decisions taken at recent meetings, noting that the party would issue an official position after ongoing deliberations.

Similarly, a spokesperson associated with the Wike-backed structure, Jungudo Mohammed, described consensus-building as a practical approach to reducing internal conflict, though he stopped short of confirming the finalized list of candidates.

Stakeholders continue to warn that the emergence of parallel leadership arrangements could further destabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim cautioned against holding separate conventions, describing such moves as capable of deepening divisions within the opposition party.

Calls for unity have also come from within the PDP’s advisory structures. Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Board of Trustees member Chibudom Nwuche urged party leaders to prioritize reconciliation, noting that sustained internal conflict could undermine the party’s electoral prospects.