Insists March 29/30, 2026 convention being planned by National Caretaker Committee holds as scheduled
The Minister of the Federal Capital TerritoryThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the nullification of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan provides an opportunity for the party to rebuild and restore unity among its members.
Wike, who spoke with journalists in Abuja on Monday, maintained that the ruling confirmed that the convention conducted by the PDP in November 2025 could not stand because the party failed to comply with statutory provisions guiding such exercises.
According to him, the court’s decision reaffirmed the need for political parties to strictly adhere to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, as well as their internal rules and guidelines.
“When you do not comply with what the law says, it cannot stand. It does not matter who is chairman or who is not chairman. What matters is compliance with the law,” Wike said.
The minister explained that the court established that necessary procedures, including the conduct of valid congresses in some states and proper notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were not followed before the convention was held.
He added that once such leal requirements are ignored, the matter goes beyond internal party affairs and becomes an issue of compliance with the law.
While reacting to the judgment, Wike described the development as a significant moment for the party, saying it reaffirmed the supremacy of due process and the rule of law.
“Today is one of my happiest days because, as a party that claims to uphold democratic principles, we must not condone impunity. We must follow due process and allow the rule of law to prevail,” he said.
Wike recalled that he had earlier warned that steps taken in violation of the law would eventually be set aside by the courts.
The FCT minister urged members of the PDP to use the judgment as an opportunity to rebuild unity within the party rather than prolong internal disputes through legal battles.
“For me, it is an opportunity for the party to come back together. We have fought enough. It is time to drop personal interests and see how we can move the party forward,” he said.
Wike stressed the need for the PDP to remain strong as a credible opposition party in the country.
“The PDP remains the only strong opposition party we have. What we should be doing now is to put our house in order so that the party can continue to play its role effectively,” he said.
He further explained that with the court affirming the invalidity of the Ibadan convention, the leadership structure that emerged from the exercise could no longer be recognised.
According to him, the party had already constituted a caretaker arrangement to manage its affairs pending the conduct of a valid national convention.
He disclosed that the PDP leadership is working towards organising a fresh national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, where new national officers would be elected in accordance with the law and the party’s constitution.
Wike said the convention would be held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, adding that arrangements had already been concluded for the exercise.
“We have already established the National Caretaker Committee. When the tenure of the National Working Committee expired, we said the law does not allow for a vacuum. The caretaker committee was recognised by the Federal High Court to run the party until new officers are elected,” he said.
The Court of Appeal had earlier upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining INEC from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, ruling that the party failed to comply with legal requirements before conducting the exercise.
