Officials of the (INEC) are present at the ongoing national convention of the (PDP) in Abuja, according to Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, .
The convention, taking place at the , began on Sunday with delegates arriving at the velodrome for accreditation and security screening. Attendees were largely seen dressed in party colours, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the venue.
Prominent figures within the party, including Wike, the chairman of the caretaker committee, , and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, , were present as proceedings got underway.
In a post on X, Olayinka disclosed that INEC was represented by two National Commissioners—Prof. Sani Adams (SAN) and Dr. Ken Ukeagu—alongside several senior officials from its legal and administrative departments.
The convention, scheduled to run through Monday, is expected to produce a new set of party leaders who will guide the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party’s constitution provides for a 19-member National Working Committee, including key roles such as National Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and others.
However, the gathering is being held amid internal divisions within the party and ongoing legal disputes stemming from a previous convention organised by a faction of governors in Ibadan in November 2025.
Earlier reports indicate that the faction aligned with Wike opted for a consensus method in selecting candidates for party offices. Despite tensions, Wike has maintained that reconciliation efforts will continue after the convention, noting that disagreements are common in large political organisations.
The caretaker committee, which is believed to have Wike’s backing, insisted that no court order has been issued to stop the convention. Its spokesperson, Jungudo Mohammed, stated that all legal and procedural requirements had been fulfilled.
He added that the committee was committed to ensuring a credible, transparent, and inclusive process, urging party members to remain calm and focused despite attempts by some individuals to disrupt the exercise.
