Wike’s PDP faction fixes Might 23 for presidential primaries

The Nationwide Govt Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday fastened Might 23, 2026, for the celebration’s presidential primaries forward of the 2027 normal elections.

The choice was a part of resolutions reached on the 106th NEC assembly of the celebration held in Abuja, the place leaders reviewed preparations for the upcoming elections and the celebration’s inner processes.

In response to a communiqué issued on the finish of the assembly and skim by the caretaker committee’s Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the celebration additionally accredited a timetable for primaries for different elective positions consistent with the electoral schedule launched by the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee.

The timetable signifies that the submission of the celebration’s membership register to the electoral physique will happen on April 10, whereas primaries for state Homes of Meeting are scheduled for Might 2.

Primaries for the Nationwide Meeting will observe on Might 9, whereas governorship primaries are slated for Might 16, earlier than the presidential primaries on Might 23.

NEC famous that the schedule was designed to align with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the electoral fee to subject a discover of election at the very least 300 days earlier than the date fastened for the polls.

The communiqué learn, “NEC obtained and famous the revised timetable and schedule of actions for the 2027 normal elections as issued by the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, pursuant to the availability of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires that the discover of election be issued not later than 300 days earlier than the date of election.

“NEC accordingly famous the celebration’s proposed schedule of actions in compliance with the INEC timetable, together with the submission of the celebration’s register of members to the fee.

“The conduct of celebration primaries for the varied elective workplaces and timelines for the decision of disputes arising from such primaries. NEC urged all organs and stakeholders of the celebration to start the mandatory preparations and guarantee strict adherence to the accredited timelines and all related statutory provisions.

“The accredited PDP timetable for primaries: Submission of register April 10, 2026; State Meeting primaries Might 2; Nationwide Meeting primaries Might 9; Gubernatorial primaries Might 16; Presidential primaries Might 23.”

The assembly additionally reaffirmed preparations for the celebration’s nationwide conference scheduled to carry on March 29 and 30, the place a brand new Nationwide Working Committee can be elected in accordance with the celebration’s structure.

Earlier within the assembly, NEC recommended the caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed for its efforts in stabilising the celebration and steering its affairs through the transition interval.

Members expressed satisfaction with the conduct of ward and native authorities congresses throughout the nation and voiced confidence that the state congresses scheduled for the weekend could be carried out peacefully and consistent with the celebration’s pointers.

The committee additionally accredited the conduct of zonal congresses inside the subsequent two weeks as a part of the method resulting in the nationwide conference.

NEC additional welcomed judgments of the Courtroom of Appeal affirming the management of the caretaker committee, noting that the rulings had strengthened the constitutional processes and stability of the celebration.

Whereas reviewing current developments inside the celebration, the committee emphasised the necessity for reconciliation amongst leaders and stakeholders, urging these concerned in disputes to resolve their variations internally and chorus from pursuing additional litigation, notably strikes to method the Supreme Courtroom of Nigeria.

The celebration additionally accredited the graduation and growth of digital membership registration, describing the initiative as a step towards modernising its database and bettering transparency in celebration administration.

NEC, nonetheless, condemned the assault by hoodlums on celebration members throughout just lately carried out congresses in Oyo State, describing the incident as unlucky and opposite to democratic values. The committee referred to as on safety businesses to analyze the assault and be certain that these accountable are dropped at justice.

On the shut of the assembly, NEC urged celebration leaders and members throughout the federation to stay united and disciplined as preparations proceed for the remaining congresses, the nationwide conference and the primaries forward of the 2027 elections.

The assembly was attended by a number of distinguished PDP figures, together with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former governors Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ikpeazu; caretaker committee chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed; celebration secretary Sam Anyanwu; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mao Ohuabunwa, amongst others.

The assembly comes towards the backdrop of a protracted management disaster that has plagued the celebration since November 2025. Governors of the PDP had earlier backed the Ibadan conference held on November 15, which produced Kabiru Turaki and different members of the Nationwide Working Committee for a four-year tenure.

Management was handed over from former Performing Nationwide Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki earlier than Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9.

Nevertheless, a faction loyal to Wike later fashioned a 13-member caretaker committee, naming Mohammed Abdulrahman as Performing Nationwide Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Performing Nationwide Secretary, amongst others, with a 60-day mandate. Makes an attempt by each factions to carry conferences on the PDP Nationwide Secretariat on November 18 descended into chaos, prompting the Nigeria Police Pressure to seal the secretariat.

Authorized battles adopted, culminating in a February 12 listening to on the Courtroom of Appeal. On March 9, the courtroom dominated that the Ibadan conference violated the Electoral Act, the Structure and the celebration’s structure, nullifying the conference that produced Turaki and his committee.