A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supported by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has set May 25 for its presidential primary ahead of the 2027 elections.
The faction also announced that state assembly, national assembly, and governorship primaries will hold on May 2, 9, and 16, respectively.
These dates were confirmed on Wednesday during the group’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
In a statement released after the meeting, the Wike-led faction said April 10 would be the deadline for submitting the party’s membership register to INEC.
NEC members praised the national caretaker working committee, chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed, for “stabilising the party and managing its affairs during the ongoing transitional period.”
The committee expressed satisfaction with how ward and local government congresses were conducted across the country.
The party faction assured that the state congresses planned for the weekend would be held peacefully and strictly according to the PDP constitution.
NEC also approved zonal congresses to take place within the next two weeks as the party moves toward its national convention on March 28 and 29.
The group welcomed a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja that nullified the national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Wike faction called for reconciliation among PDP leaders, urging those in disputes to engage in dialogue and avoid further litigation at the Supreme Court.
RECONCILIATION
Speaking at the meeting, Wike said his faction remains firmly in control of the party structure and will only negotiate from a position of strength.
He added that reconciliation in the PDP must be genuine, backed by concrete proposals from anyone seeking peace.
The FCT minister warned against secret negotiations, urging party leaders to share their reconciliation terms openly.
Wike also rejected claims that his role in the APC-led government makes him a “mole” within the PDP, noting that those who made such accusations have since left the party.
He stressed that the PDP national convention will go ahead as planned, dismissing calls for a caretaker committee to pacify aggrieved members.
Meanwhile, Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader aligned with the faction supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, appealed to members to put the party’s survival above personal ambitions.
Moro said the PDP caucus in the National Assembly has been working to promote unity and has engaged different factions to find common ground.
He urged party leaders to make necessary sacrifices to protect the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
