INEC officials present as PDP convention begins in Abuja – Wike’s aide

The spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Mr Lere Olayinka, says officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission are present at the venue of the Peoples Democratic Party’s national convention holding at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

The convention, organised by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, commenced on Sunday with delegates arriving at the velodrome of the stadium.

Many of the delegates, dressed in party-branded attire, were seen undergoing accreditation and security checks at designated points.

Top party figures, including Wike, the caretaker committee chairman, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, were also present at the venue, which was decorated in PDP colours and symbols.

The convention, scheduled to run from Sunday to Monday, is expected to produce party officials who will steer the affairs of the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement on his X handle, Olayinka said,
“INEC is represented here by two National Commissioners, Prof Sani Adams (SAN), and Dr Ken Ukeagu.

“Also here are Director EPM, Joan Arabs, Director Legal, Rakiya Nauzo and Director Drafting and Clearance, Nkechi Abuh. Others are; Mustapha Abubakar, Deputy Director Party Legal and Liaison, Mas’ud Hassan, Rakiya Dattijo, Umar Hassan and Babangida Shanu.”

ValidViewNetwork reports the convention is being held amid an internal crisis and despite ongoing legal disputes over a previous convention by the governor bloc of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.

The PDP Constitution (2017, as amended) provides for a 19-member National Working Committee comprising the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman, National Secretary and Deputy, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Organising Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Auditor, Legal Adviser, Woman Leader, Youth Leader, and National Vice Chairman.

ValidViewNetwork had earlier reported that the Wike-backed faction adopted a consensus approach to select candidates for the positions, with the leadership expected to steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.

Confirming preparations, Wike said reconciliation efforts would continue after the convention, stressing that internal disagreements were normal in a large political party.

Despite ongoing legal dispute, the National Caretaker Working Committee, reportedly backed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said it had not received any court order halting the convention.

The committee’s spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, maintained that all legal and procedural requirements had been met.

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“The National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) has worked tirelessly to ensure that this convention is not only credible and transparent but also inclusive and reflective of the collective aspirations of our members across the country. All necessary arrangements have been concluded to guarantee a smooth, peaceful, and successful exercise.

“The PDP remains a law-abiding institution, committed to strengthening democracy in Nigeria.

“On recent developments, including attempts by certain individuals to disrupt this process, we urge all members to remain calm and focused. The party has consistently extended the hand of reconciliation, and that door remains open. However, we will not allow the progress and stability of our great party to be undermined,” Mohammed said.