JUST IN: Wike-Led PDP Faction Elects New National Chairman, Secretary

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has elected new members of its National Working Committee, including a National Chairman and National Secretary, during its 2026 National Convention in Abuja.

At the convention, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed emerged as National Chairman, while Senator Samuel Anyanwu was returned as National Secretary.

The exercise, which held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, saw the unveiling of a full 19-member National Working Committee aimed at steering the affairs of the party faction for the next four years.

Delegates drawn from several states, including Kebbi, Ekiti, and Bauchi, were actively involved in the process. They led proceedings on Sunday and participated in ratifying the new leadership lineup.

The gathering was largely driven by loyalists of Wike, reflecting his growing influence within the internal structure of the opposition party.

The newly constituted committee aligns with the provisions of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), which stipulates a 19-member National Working Committee at the national level. The structure is designed to handle administrative, strategic, and political decisions of the party.

Other key officials confirmed at the convention include Aaron Chukwuemeka as Deputy National Chairman (South), Yusufu Akirikwen (SAN) as Deputy National Chairman (North), Kolawale Olabisi as Deputy National Secretary, Odeyemei Oladiran as National Treasurer, and Lado Marke as Deputy National Treasurer.

The list, along with other national officers, was adopted through a consensus arrangement earlier agreed upon by stakeholders within the faction.

More than 2,500 delegates reportedly endorsed the candidates during the convention, giving formal backing to the leadership team. The consensus method had been earlier adopted to avoid internal contest and streamline the selection process.

However, the convention also exposed lingering divisions within the party. While delegates from states such as Benue, Ekiti, and Ogun participated in the exercise, others, including those from Edo State, stayed away.