PDP Convention: Mohammed and Anyanwu Reelected as Leaders

During the recent national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdulrahman Mohammed was re-elected as the National Chairman, along with several members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in a consensus arrangement.

This decision took place at a gathering comprised of a faction of the party that is loyal to Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The convention saw over 2,000 delegates representing all 36 states, along with the Federal Capital Territory, coming together to endorse the new 22-member National Working Committee.

Among those elected were Samuel Anyanwu as the national secretary, Aaron Chukwuemeka as deputy national chairman for the South, and Yusuf Akirikwen as deputy national chairman for the North. Kolawole Olabisi was assigned as the deputy national secretary.

Key additional appointments included Opeyemi Oladiran as national treasurer, Lado Marke as deputy national treasurer, and Eyim Henry as national financial secretary, with Grema Kyari serving as his deputy.

Umar Bature assumed the role of national organising secretary, while Efere Augustine was appointed as his deputy. Jungudo Mohammed was selected as national publicity secretary, with Egwu Chidiebere as his deputy.

In the legal sector, Kamaldeen Ajibade secured the position of national legal adviser, supported by Aloysius Uba as deputy legal adviser. Osuoha Donatus and Adaba Yatu were also chosen to be national auditor and deputy auditor, respectively.

Prof. Ogunshe Adedayo was elected as the national women leader, with Hauwa Shinge as her deputy. Additionally, Ibrahim Aboki was named national youth leader, while Eugene Momoh-Dejih was appointed deputy youth leader.

This new leadership is set to steer the PDP over the next four years. Their election was facilitated by a proposal from Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, which received support from Usman Ahmed.

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator from Kogi Central, had initially proposed the dissolution of the previous NWC along with the ratification of congresses convened in various states.

In her motion, she found support from Zainab Bako, leading to the formalization of the current committee.

Upon his re-election, Mohammed expressed a commitment to unifying party members and advancing the party's objectives. PDP officials noted that the consensus formation of the NWC was indicative of a unified front and intended to reinforce party cohesion amidst prior conflicts.

Simultaneously, another faction led by Kabiru Turaki has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the legitimacy of the convention conducted by Wike's faction, highlighting ongoing divisions within the party following a series of intra-party disputes.

The Court of Appeal previously annulled the leadership helmed by Turaki, which had only been established following a convention in November of the previous year at Ibadan.

The newly established NWC is tasked with guiding the party toward reconciliation endeavors and reestablishing its role as a significant opposition entity in Nigeria's political arena.