There is no going back on the national convention scheduled for Abuja on March 9, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee (NCC) said yesterday.

The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led interim committee, which enjoys the backing of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, clarified that the push for reconciliation in the party would not affect its preparations for the exercise.

Following the Appeal Court judgment that voided the controversial Ibadan convention organised by the Turaki/Makinde faction and dismantled the illegal National Working Committee (NWC), the Caretaker Committee unfolded plans for the Abuja convention.

The Caretaker Publicity Secretary, Jagunda Mohammed, said the Turaki faction had been informed that the convention is a no-go area, adding that irrespective of the peace moves, the exercise must hold.

He told reporters in Abuja that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had been informed about the convention.

Mohammed disclosed that the National Convention Planning Committee has been constituted, adding that membership of the committee and the sub-committees will be unfolded today.

He said: “Reconciliation is an ongoing thing, and it cannot in any way prevent the caretaker committee from carrying out the convention.

“If you recall, we had initially informed the representative of the Turaki group who attended our last NEC meeting that whatever their written proposals may be, two things remain sacrosanct: the existence of this caretaker committee and the conduct of this National Convention.

“So, irrespective of whatever reconciliation that is likely to happen, it will not affect the conduct and processes leading to this convention. We are open. We are still open for reconciliation.”

Mohammed added: “The Independent National Electoral Commission had been notified about the PDP National Convention long ago, and in line with the notice, they have already supervised and monitored our ward, local government and state congresses. The National Convention will not be an exception.

“We have concluded all state congresses in line with the judgment of Justice Omotosho. But before we can proceed with any convention, we have to conclude all congresses. That is how it has been done. We have just finished with that of Plateau yesterday, and then, the Zonal congresses for the Southeast and Northwest will be on Saturday.”

The Publicity Secretary said the sub-committees whose membership will be announced include: Venue, Security, Entertainment, Welfare, Accreditation, Media and Publicity, Protocol, Accommodation and Transport, Electoral Committee, Zoning, Screening, Medical, the National Convention Monitoring Sub-committee and Secretariat Sub-committee.

He said the sub-committees would be set up in accordance with the provisions of Article 1.3(c)(i) of the electoral guidelines.

Mohammed stressed: “We expect to publish the names and membership of these committees and sub-committees tomorrow.”

The spokesman said the committees would be inaugurated on Saturday, March 21, while the Zoning Committee is expected to meet on Sunday, March 22, 2026 to zone the various positions across the geo-political zones.

He said an emergency NEC meeting of the party would hold on Monday, March 23 at the FCT Minister’s Lodge, Life Camp, Abuja, while sales of forms would commence after the NEC meeting and last till Wednesday, March 25.

Mohammed said hearing of appeals would take place on Thursday, March 26, while a pre-convention cocktail has been scheduled for Saturday, March 28 at the Minister’s Lodge.

He added: : “So far, this is what we are expecting to have as a line-up of activities in the build-up to the National Convention. Of course, you know that the National Convention is slated for 29th and 30th of March this year at the Velodrome Hall, National Stadiu, Abuja.”

(The Nation)

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