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Inaugurates national convention committee headed by Ikpeazu
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike-led National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to conduct an all-inclusive, legally sound, and politically credible National Convention that will produce leaders entrusted with guiding the party for the next four years.
The party’s National convention is slated for March 29 and 30 this year in Abuja.
The Chairman of the NCWC of the PDP, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed made this declaration on Saturday night during the inauguration of the party’s 2026 National Convention Planning and Organizing Committee in Abuja.
The committee is headed by the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.
While declaring that the party’s journey to this point has not been without challenges, Mohammed said, ‘For over a year, our party has navigated complex legal and judicial issues.
“Yet, through resilience, wisdom, and a shared commitment to unity, we have emerged not diminished, but refined.
“Today, the PDP stands once again as a beautiful bride, radiant with renewed political prospects and ready to reclaim its rightful place in the national space.
“The recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, widely regarded as a ‘no victor, no vanquished’ verdict, offers us a philosophical anchor. It reminds us that true triumph lies not in individual victories, but in collective survival and institutional continuity. It calls us to rise above divisions and embrace reconciliation as a higher virtue.
“Accordingly, we reaffirm our openness to broader engagement. We extend a hand of fellowship to all, firmly believing that genuine reconciliation will deepen unity, strengthen solidarity, and reposition our party for greater national service.
“In this regard, we salute all agents of peace within our ranks and commend the commitment and sacrifices of our leaders, particularly our National Leader, His Excellency, Minister Nyesom Wike, whose steadfastness has contributed meaningfully to this moment.
“We also warmly welcome our brothers and sisters who have returned to the family fold. The PDP remains a broad and accommodating platform, ever willing to reconcile and rebuild.
“To the members of this committee, the responsibility before you is both administrative and historic. You are entrusted with the duty of planning and delivering a National Convention scheduled for the 29th and 30th of March 2026 that will stand firmly on the pillars of legality, legitimacy, and inclusiveness.
“I urge you to discharge your responsibilities with diligence, impartiality, and a deep sense of duty to the party and the nation.
Let us be guided by a simple yet profound truth.
“Yesterday is beyond our correction, but today is within our control, and tomorrow is ours to determine.
Let us learn from yesterday’s lessons, act with wisdom today, and together shape a glorious future for our party and our country”, he stated.
In his inaugural/acceptance speech, the Chairman of the 2026 national convention committee, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu made it pointedly clear that what the PDP needs at this moment is honest reconciliation, rooted in truth, driven by sincerity, and sustained by mutual respect.
His words, “We must have the courage to listen to one another, the humility to admit where we went wrong and the strength to forgive, genuinely and completely.
“Let us, therefore, choose unity, not because it is easy, but because it is necessary.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is not just another political platform. It is a national institution. It is the vehicle through which millions of Nigerians still place their hopes for justice, inclusion, and good governance. We cannot afford to fail them.
“As we begin this important task, let us remember: positions will come and go, but legacy endures. Years from now, Nigerians will ask: when the PDP was tested, who stood for unity? Who stood for fairness? Who helped rebuild the party?
“Let our answer be clear. Let it be said that at a moment of uncertainty, we chose stability.
At a moment of division, we chose unity. At a moment of doubt, we delivered leadership.
“I call on all stakeholders, leaders, delegates, and members across all levels in the 36 states of our federal, including the FCT, to support this process with discipline, maturity, and a deep sense of responsibility.
“Together, we can rebuild trust.
Together, we can restore confidence. Together, we can return the PDP to national leadership”, he said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Umaru Bature harped on the need for utmost cooperation to see the success of this national convention.
“What is important today is the value you give to the party, and that value is the commitment that I have seen in a lot of people who are here today, and that commitment should continue to transcend in the next seven, eight days that we have for the national convention.
“We urge all of us to give us all the utmost cooperation to see the success of this national convention.
“There will be some issues here and there, but I believe we are on the right course, and I believe we have a national leader who has even created a path for this party to move forward”, he said.
Among those who made surprise appearance at the inauguration of the committee were; the Senator representing Kogi Central district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha and immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba.
