The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has agreed to engage disgruntled members to understand their grievances as the party wraps up preparations for its national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.

Mr Wike disclosed this while speaking to journalists on Friday during an inspection of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja, which is the venue for the party’s convention. He acknowledged there would always be dissatisfaction with some members but stressed that the PDP is big enough to accommodate everyone. 

“There is room for accommodation. The PDP is a very large party.  Look at the umbrella, it is wide enough to accommodate everyone. I have always said that in any group, there will be grievances. You cannot expect that in a family of two or three people, everyone will always be satisfied let alone a party with millions of members. 

“There will always be a few who are not happy. We have agreed to sit down with them, understand their concerns, and see how we can accommodate them. What is most important is the overall interest of the party,” Mr Wike said.

The protracted leadership tussle in the PDP worsened last week after a Court of Appeal judgment nullified the party’s November 15 and 16 national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Tanimu Turaki (SAN) emerged as national chairman. The Turaki-led faction is believed to be loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state. 

Speaking further, Mr Wike maintained that the PDP is presenting a unified front in preparation for the 2027 elections, noting that the presidency has been zoned to the southern region, while  the party’s chairmanship would go to the North. 

“We have already zoned our positions. Every zone has its own slots. The presidency has been zoned to the South, while the chairmanship is zoned to the North. We believe this consensus arrangement will make the process easier. 

“For the first time, the PDP is presenting a unified front, rather than the usual ‘unity list’ that often reflects internal divisions. There are no factions, everyone has agreed on the direction we are taking,” the minister stated. 

Mr Wike added that preparations for the convention were almost completed and that an estimated 2,500 delegates are expected to attend the convention.