PDP Crisis Deepens as Abdulrahman Mohammed-Led Faction Inaugurates Convention Committees

Party Races to Stabilise Structure Ahead of 2027 Elections

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By John Ishaku / Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a decisive step toward reasserting internal order, as the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction on Saturday inaugurated more than 20 committees to organise its forthcoming national convention scheduled for March 29–30.

The move comes against the backdrop of a prolonged leadership crisis that has fractured the party and triggered a steady exodus of members. The committees—covering critical areas such as screening, accreditation, publicity, transport and logistics, medical services, and security—are expected to coordinate the convention process and facilitate the emergence of a substantive leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abuja Gathering Signals Organisational Push

The inauguration ceremony, held in Abuja, drew key figures within the party, including Abdulrahman Mohammed, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, and Senator Natasha Uduaghan-Akpoti, among others.

According to the Mohammed-led caretaker leadership, the planned convention derives its legitimacy from a recent appellate ruling that nullified the Taminu Turaki-led national convention previously held in Ibadan. The judgment has effectively reset the party’s leadership process, creating an opening for a fresh convention to determine its future direction.

PDP members at the party’s inauguration of committees for the forthcoming national convention in Abuja on March 21, 2026.

Factional Divide and Rising Defections

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The PDP’s internal crisis has persisted since its loss in the 2023 presidential election, deepening factional divides within its ranks. One bloc is aligned with Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, while another remains loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

This rivalry has weakened party cohesion and accelerated defections at multiple levels. Several governors and lawmakers elected on the PDP platform have exited the party, with many crossing over to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The scale of the departures has raised concerns about the PDP’s viability as a national opposition force.

Analysts warn that continued instability could have legal and electoral consequences, including the risk of complications with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding candidate nominations for future elections.

PDP chieftains at the party’s inauguration of committees for the forthcoming national convention in Abuja on March 21, 2026.

Convention Seen as Critical Turning Point

Party insiders describe the upcoming convention as a make-or-break moment. Beyond electing new leadership, the process is expected to test the PDP’s ability to reconcile internal differences and rebuild credibility among its supporters.

With 2027 in view, the stakes are high. Failure to achieve a unified leadership structure could further erode public confidence and diminish the party’s competitiveness. Conversely, a credible and transparent convention could signal a pathway to recovery for a party that once dominated Nigeria’s political landscape from 1999 to 2015.