Saraki, Lamido, Akpoti-Uduaghan, others attend PDP national convention in Abuja

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Kogi East Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, former Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido, Sen. Abba Moro and the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda are among the chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP present at the ongoing factional national convention of the party holding at the Velodrome, Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abuja.

The national convention is being organised by a faction of the party led by Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike under heavy security with the deployment of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that the exercise is hitch-free.

Wike also arrived at the event at about 7.25 p.m. in company of some party leaders, including the Chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee of Wike’s faction, Abdulraman Mohammed and the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa.

Others were the Chairman, 2026 National Convention Planning and Organising Committee (NPCOC), Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and the NCWC National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu.

Upon the minister’s arrival, the National Anthem was immediately rendered, signaling the official commencement of the day’s proceedings.

However, delegates from several states have already taken their seats ahead of his arrival.

They include delegates from Osun, Ondo, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Rivers, Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Kogi, Plateau, Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), among others.

The seating arrangements were organised for states in alphabetical order to facilitate a seamless voting process.

In line with statutory requirements, a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are already on ground to monitor the proceedings of the elective convention.

The theme of the national convention, expected to be attended by a total of 2,500 delegates, is: “A Convention of Inclusiveness, Unity and Renewal.”

The delegates are expected to elect candidates to fill more than 20 positions in the National Working Committee, NWC of PDP.