The Peoples Democratic Party is set to hold a contentious national convention in Abuja, as state chapters remain sharply divided over the legality and political implications of the exercise.

The convention is being driven by a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and is expected to ratify Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary, and 17 others as members of the National Working Committee.

But the gathering faces stiff resistance from within. The Chairman of the Edo State PDP and head of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, Tony Aziegbemi, insists the convention should not proceed while a leadership dispute is pending before the Supreme Court. He argues that going ahead would amount to a brazen disregard for the rule of law and describes the Wike-backed exercise as illegal.

Aziegbemi has urged state chairmen and their members to boycott the event, warning that some of those being paraded as delegates are impostors and that the list in circulation may not align with records held by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In Sokoto, the party has already opted out. State Publicity Secretary Hassan Sanyinawal said the chapter would stay away from the Abuja convention as it did from an earlier one in Ibadan, stressing that while they remain PDP members, they refuse to align with any faction.

Other states, however, are embracing the process. In Kwara, Chairman Isa Bawa said stakeholders resolved after extensive deliberations that their delegates should attend, adding that the outcome of the convention would shape the state chapter’s next steps. Kebbi’s leadership has also confirmed full participation, with Secretary Abubakar Kalgo saying delegates have been mobilised and are satisfied with preparations.

Osun State Chairman Sunday Bisi likewise signalled readiness to attend, reinforcing the impression of a party split between boycotters and participants.

About 2,500 delegates are expected at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, where the Wike camp has adopted a consensus formula to fill the 19-member National Working Committee, in line with the party’s constitution.

Wike has downplayed the Supreme Court appeal filed by the rival bloc led by Kabiru Turaki, insisting it will not derail the convention. He maintains that zoning arrangements, including the presidency to the South and the chairmanship to the North, will stabilise the party and position it for a strong showing in the 2027 elections.

Yet the crisis has clearly widened. Governors and senior figures aligned with the Turaki camp, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, have distanced themselves, vowing not to attend and underscoring the depth of the PDP’s internal fractures.