In a decisive move to conclude months of internal turbulence and judicial uncertainty, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has definitively scheduled its critical National Convention for the 28th and 29th of March, 2026, in the nation’s capital, Abuja. The announcement, which charts a clear path towards the election of a substantive National Working Committee (NWC), was the cornerstone of resolutions passed at the party’s 105th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Monday.
The high-stakes gathering, which took place in Abuja, was convened against a backdrop of recent legal battles and factional disputes that have threatened the party’s cohesion. The NEC’s communiqué, seen by Elanza News, presents a unified front, seeking to draw a line under past controversies and refocus on internal democracy and electoral preparedness.
Unwavering Backing for Caretaker Leadership and Judicial Victory
A primary focus of the meeting was the resounding reaffirmation of the party’s current leadership structure. The NEC unanimously “reconfirmed, ratified, and reaffirmed” all decisions made at its emergency meeting on 7th December 2025. It emphatically stated that actions taken from those resolutions remain “binding, lawful, and operative,” having been conducted in strict adherence to the party’s constitution, the Nigerian constitution, and electoral law.
Crucially, the committee welcomed and affirmed a recent judgment from the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which upheld the legality of the PDP’s administrative arrangements. The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Abdulrahman Muhammed-led National Caretaker Committee as the party’s lawful national administrative organ. The NEC described this judgment as a vindication of its processes and a cornerstone for stability.
“NEC reaffirmed its absolute belief in the independence of the Judiciary and the sanctity of the rule of law,” the communiqué stated. It further resolved that all party organs and members must act in obedience to subsisting court judgments and urged INEC and other institutions to fully comply, “in the interest of democracy and constitutional order.”
With this judicial backing, the NEC reiterated the “legitimacy, authority, and mandate” of the Abdulrahman Muhammed-led National Caretaker Committee, with Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu as Secretary. It declared this committee the “only lawful national administrative organ of the Party,” fully empowered to act as the NWC until the March convention.
Roadmap to Abuja: Congresses and Convention Dates Firmly Fixed
Pursuant to its constitutional duties, the NEC laid out a definitive timetable for the party’s internal elections, culminating in the Abuja convention. The approved schedule is as follows:
· Ward Congresses: February 2026
· Local Government Area Congresses: February 2026
· State Congresses: March 2026
· National Convention: 28th-29th March 2026, Abuja
The NEC has directed the National Caretaker Committee, working with the National Organising Secretary, to issue detailed guidelines and modalities for these congresses. These are to be conducted in strict compliance with the PDP Constitution, INEC regulations, and relevant judicial directives.
To ensure continuity and stability during this electoral period, the NEC affirmed the extension of the tenure for the National Caretaker Committee, as well as similarly affected caretaker committees at state and zonal levels. These will remain in place until their respective congresses and the national convention are conducted.
The caretaker committee has been mandated to immediately activate various convention sub-committees and commence comprehensive logistical, administrative, and consultative preparations. The explicit goal is to ensure a “transparent, inclusive, and credible Convention” that will be accepted by all members and observers.
A Call for Unity and a Rebuilt PDP
Recognising the divisions of recent months, the NEC issued a strong appeal for party unity. It called on all members “to remain united, disciplined, and loyal to the PDP,” urging them to “eschew actions capable of undermining Party cohesion” and to prioritise the collective interest above personal ambitions.
The committee reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to “rebuilding a strong, disciplined, democratic, and electorally competitive Party capable of providing credible leadership and governance to Nigerians.” It expressed confidence that the resolutions from the 105th meeting would “strengthen internal democracy, restore stability, and reposition the Party for future electoral success.”
Finally, the NEC urged all stakeholders, supporters, and members within Nigeria and in the diaspora to “remain steadfast, law-abiding, and committed to the ideals of the Party.”
Analysis: A Pivotal Moment for Nigeria’s Opposition
The scheduling of the PDP National Convention for March 2026 in Abuja marks a pivotal moment in Nigerian politics. It represents the end of a prolonged phase of caretaker administration and legal challenges. The party’s ability to follow this timetable smoothly will be a critical test of its organisational capacity and internal discipline.
With the next general elections on the horizon, the outcome of the Abuja convention will determine the leadership that will steer the PDP’s campaigns. A credible, peaceful, and widely accepted convention is essential for the party to present itself as a viable, unified alternative to the electorate. All eyes will now be on the forthcoming ward, local government, and state congresses as precursors to the main event in Abuja, where the future direction of Nigeria’s foremost opposition party will be decided.
