By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, have called for genuine reconciliation ahead of the party’s national Convention scheduled for March 29th and 30th in Abuja.
The acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, stressed the need for unity and genuine reconciliation as the party begins preparations for its 2026 National Convention.
Mohammed, who spoke during the inauguration of the party’s National Convention Organising Committee on Saturday night in Abuja, charged members to put past crises behind them and work collectively to rebuild confidence and reposition the party for future electoral success.
The acting National Chairman said the gathering was not just to inaugurate a committee but also to initiate a process that would reflect their shared destiny and hope for renewal.
The PDP leader added that the committee members were “deliberately chosen to steer the process towards an inclusive, legally compliant and credible national convention that would produce leaders to guide the party over the next four years.”
He stated, “Our journey to this point has not been without challenges. 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, Minister Nyesom Wike, whose steadfastness has contributed meaningfully to this moment.”
He noted that the PDP remains an accommodating platform, willing to reconcile and rebuild.
Mohammed continued, “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 March 29 and 30, 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 country.”
In his acceptance speech, Okeze Ikpeazu, who emerged Chairman of the PDP 2026 Convention Committee, described the Convention as a defining moment and a test of whether the PDP can overcome its challenges and reclaim its position as a leading national political party.
He noted that the party had endured internal crises and prolonged legal battles that tested its structure and unity.
He stated, “But Today, we stand on the other side of that storm. The Court of Appeal’s affirmation of the National Caretaker Working Committee is not merely a legal victory; it is a moral and political reset. It offers us a rare opportunity to rebuild, restore confidence and reaffirm the supremacy of due process and internal democracy within our party.
“History has handed us a second chance. We must not squander it. We are not here to manage a convention; we are here to deliver credibility. We are not here to satisfy factions; we are here to strengthen the party. We are not here to recycle old divisions; we are here to build a united future. We must, therefore, be up and doing.
“Let our work be guided by transparency, fairness and integrity. Let every delegate leave this Convention with confidence in the process. Let every stakeholder see justice not just done, but seen to be done.”
Ikpeazu stated that the goal was to hold a transparent, widely accepted convention that would produce a credible National Working Committee to reposition the PDP for the 2027 elections, stressing that success requires unity.
“That is why reconciliation is not optional; it is imperative. We must go beyond rhetoric, beyond symbolic gestures, beyond political convenience.
“What the PDP needs at this moment is honest reconciliation, rooted in truth, driven by sincerity and sustained by mutual respect. 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 People’s Democratic Party is not just another political platform; it is a national institution. It is the vehicle through which millions of Nigerians place their hopes for justice, inclusion and good governance. We cannot afford to fail them,” he added.
In his vote of thanks, PDP Acting National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu assured that the Convention would produce widely accepted leaders capable of fielding strong candidates for the next election.
“We are going to secure many positions. Our senators and others who wish to contest or recontest should rest assured that if you come to PDP to obtain a form, nobody will disqualify you, because PDP is strong.
“Also, the NWC members to be elected from this Convention will sign your forms. INEC is with us and witnessed all our congresses.”
