Wike-backed PDP Faction to Elect Presidential Candidate on May 25

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fixed May 25 for the election of its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 polls. 

The party also scheduled state assemblies, national assembly, and governorship primaries for May 2, 9, and 16, respectively.

The dates were approved on Wednesday during the faction’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

In a communiqué issued after the sit-down, the Wike-backed group set April 10 as the deadline for the submission of the party’s membership register to INEC.

The NEC members commended the national caretaker working committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, for “stabilising the party and managing its affairs during the ongoing transitional period”. 

The PDP NEC expressed satisfaction with the conduct of ward and local government congresses nationwide. 

The party faction said the state congresses scheduled for the weekend would be conducted peacefully and in strict compliance with the PDP constitution.

The NEC approved the conduct of zonal congresses in the next two weeks as part of the party’s progression towards its national convention on March 28 and 29.

The group commended the recent judgement of the court of appeal in Abuja, which nullified the national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo. 

The Wike PDP faction called for reconciliation among party leaders and stakeholders, urging those involved in internal disputes to embrace dialogue and refrain from pursuing further litigation in the supreme court.

RECONCILIATION 

Speaking during the meeting, Wike said his group remained firmly in control of the party’s structure and would only negotiate from a position of strength.

The FCT minister said reconciliation within the PDP must be sincere and based on concrete proposals from those seeking peace.

He cautioned against what he described as secretive negotiations, urging party leaders to present their reconciliation terms openly.

Wike also dismissed claims that his role in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration makes him a “mole” within the PDP, noting that those who accused him of working with the ruling party have since left the opposition.

He insisted that the PDP national convention would proceed as scheduled, rejecting suggestions that a caretaker committee should be constituted to appease aggrieved members.

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In his remarks, Abba Moro, senate minority leader, who is aligned with the faction backed by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, and Bala Mohammed, his Bauchi counterpart, asked members to prioritise the survival of the party over personal ambitions.

Moro said the PDP caucus in the national assembly had been working to foster unity within the party and had engaged different factions in search of a common ground.

The senator called on party leaders to make sacrifices to preserve the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.