The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has reaffirmed its readiness to participate in the party’s upcoming national convention, slated to hold in Abuja on March 29, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of aspirants and stakeholders at a press briefing in Ilorin on Wednesday, Ali Ahmad, a governorship aspirant and party stalwart, said the decision followed a crucial meeting convened by the State Executive Committee.
“The meeting was very critical, and we deliberated extensively on whether delegates from Kwara should participate in the Abuja convention, especially after our attendance at the Ibadan convention last November,” Ahmad said.
He explained that the stakeholders carefully considered the appropriateness of attending another national convention so soon after the Ibadan exercise.
“We considered whether, having attended the Ibadan convention last November, it was still proper for us to take part in another national convention fixed for March 29, 2026,” he stated.
Ahmad noted that the discussion also focused on the implications of any decision for the party’s future in Kwara State and at the national level.
“Following our discussions on whether to attend, we also examined what our next line of action should be after taking a position on the convention,” he added.
According to Ahmad, the stakeholders were unanimous in their decisions on all the issues raised during the meeting.
“The stakeholders were unanimous in their resolutions after the deliberations,” he said, adding that it was agreed the state chapter would fully participate in the Abuja convention.
“We agreed that we should send our delegates to participate fully in the coming national convention in Abuja on March 29,” Ahmad stated.
He further explained that stakeholders resolved to review the outcome of the convention afterwards, in line with legal requirements.
“It was also decided that if the national convention is successful and witnessed by the regulatory body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, as required by law, then we will hold another meeting to review the situation,” he said.
Ahmad said the outcome of that review would guide the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“After that review, we will recommend to our leader whether to use the PDP as the platform for us to contest the 2027 general elections,” he added.
Reaffirming confidence in the party, Ahmad maintained that the PDP remains a formidable political force across Kwara State.
“We concluded that the PDP remains a very popular, credible, well-known, widely accepted and solid platform in all the 16 local government areas of our state,” he said.
He stressed that national developments have not weakened the party’s base in Kwara.
“No other political party can match its reach and acceptability in Kwara State, and the party here has remained unaffected by the developments at the national level,” Ahmad added.
The party stalwart also conveyed appreciation to PDP leaders and members for their loyalty and commitment.
“We thank our leaders and all members of the party for their steadfastness, resilience, loyalty and devotion to the PDP in Kwara State,” he said.
Explaining the background to the current position, Ahmad recalled that the state chapter’s earlier participation in the Ibadan convention was conditional on adherence to due process.
“When the first tendency held its convention, we attended, subject to the condition that it abided by the laws of the land,” he said.
He noted that concerns arose during the Ibadan exercise when it became apparent that due process might not have been followed.
“In the course of the convention, when we discovered that the Independent National Electoral Commission was not present around 6 to 7pm, we said we could not be part of a gathering that was not properly recognised,” Ahmad stated.
He added that the situation was eventually clarified by a judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“Upon that, the Court of Appeal decided that the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led tendency is now the one recognised by law in Nigeria, and at that point, we aligned ourselves accordingly,” he said.
Ahmad reiterated that the Kwara PDP’s position is anchored on legality and party loyalty.
“Our principle is that we are in love with the PDP, and we will not leave the party unless we come to the conclusion that it is no longer a viable vehicle to contest elections in Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed that such a situation has not arisen.
“That is not happening today because the law recognises the Abdulrahman-led PDP, and the Kwara State chapter remains a viable platform,” Ahmad added.
He said members who choose to remain in the party must align with its current direction.
“Whoever feels otherwise has two options: either to leave the party, like in some other states, or to attend the convention in Abuja,” he stated.
“If you are not exiting the PDP today, then you have to attend the convention,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP Council of Elders in Kwara State, Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani, insisted that the party remains united despite the national crisis.
“We elders and the people of Kwara State agree that PDP in Kwara State is one. There is no division,” he said.
He acknowledged that disagreements may occur but stressed that unity remains intact.
“No matter what you do, there may be a quarrel between two brothers, but in the end, we are all one,” Balogun Fulani said.
He expressed optimism about the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The party is the vehicle that we are going to use to contest the 2027 general elections, and we believe that all our candidates will emerge victorious,” he said.
The PUNCH reports that this development comes amid a protracted leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level, which has split the party into factions following the controversial Ibadan convention held in November 2025.
The Ibadan convention, conducted amid conflicting court orders, produced a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, but its outcome was rejected by a rival faction which later formed a caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The crisis deepened on March 9, 2026, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified the Ibadan convention, ruling that it violated provisions of the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP constitution.
The judgment invalidated the Turaki-led National Working Committee and affirmed the legitimacy of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee.
Following the ruling, the caretaker committee announced plans to hold a fresh national convention in Abuja on March 29 and 30, 2026, a move that continues to generate controversy within the party.
As the convention draws nearer, the decision of the Kwara State chapter to participate underscores ongoing efforts by some state chapters to align with the legally recognised leadership while the broader crisis within the PDP remains unresolved.
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