Kwara State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party Prepares for Upcoming National Gathering in Abuja

The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has reaffirmed its readiness to participate in the party's upcoming national convention, which is scheduled to take place in Abuja on March 29, 2026.

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Ali Ahmad, a governorship aspirant and party stalwart, made this announcement on behalf of aspirants and stakeholders during a press briefing in Ilorin on Wednesday, following a crucial meeting convened by the State Executive Committee.

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The meeting was described by Ahmad as very critical, with extensive deliberations on whether delegates from Kwara should participate in the Abuja convention, especially after attending the Ibadan convention last November.

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Ahmad explained that stakeholders carefully considered the appropriateness of attending another national convention so soon after the Ibadan exercise, and also examined the implications of any decision for the party's future in Kwara State and at the national level.

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According to Ahmad, the discussion also focused on what the next line of action should be after taking a position on the convention, and stakeholders were unanimous in their decisions on all the issues raised during the meeting.

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The stakeholders agreed that the state chapter would fully participate in the Abuja convention, and 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 they would hold another meeting to review the situation.

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Ahmad said the outcome of that review would guide the party's direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, and after that review, they would recommend to their leader whether to use the PDP as the platform for them to contest the 2027 general elections.

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Ahmad maintained that the PDP remains a formidable political force across Kwara State, and concluded that the party remains a very popular, credible, well-known, widely accepted, and solid platform in all the 16 local government areas of the state.

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No other political party can match the PDP's reach and acceptability in Kwara State, and the party there has remained unaffected by the developments at the national level, according to Ahmad.

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Ahmad also conveyed appreciation to PDP leaders and members for their loyalty and commitment, thanking them for their steadfastness, resilience, loyalty, and devotion to the PDP in Kwara State.

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The state chapter's earlier participation in the Ibadan convention was conditional on adherence to due process, and concerns arose during the Ibadan exercise when it became apparent that due process might not have been followed, Ahmad recalled.

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The situation was eventually clarified by a judgment of the Court of Appeal, which decided that the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led tendency is now the one recognised by law in Nigeria, and at that point, they aligned themselves accordingly, Ahmad stated.

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Ahmad reiterated that the Kwara PDP's position is anchored on legality and party loyalty, and their principle is that they are in love with the PDP and will not leave the party unless they come to the conclusion that it is no longer a viable vehicle to contest elections in Nigeria.

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He stressed that such a situation has not arisen, as the law recognises the Abdulrahman-led PDP, and the Kwara State chapter remains a viable platform, and members who choose to remain in the party must align with its current direction.

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According to Ahmad, whoever feels otherwise has two options: either to leave the party, like in some other states, or to attend the convention in Abuja, and if you are not exiting the PDP today, then you have to attend the convention.

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Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani, the Chairman of the PDP Council of Elders in Kwara State, insisted that the party remains united despite the national crisis, and agreed that PDP in Kwara State is one, with no division.

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Balogun Fulani acknowledged that disagreements may occur, but stressed that unity remains intact, saying that no matter what you do, there may be a quarrel between two brothers, but in the end, they are all one.

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He expressed optimism about the party's prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections, believing that the party is the vehicle that they are going to use to contest the 2027 general elections, and that all their candidates will emerge victorious.

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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, which produced a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki.

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The Ibadan convention's outcome was rejected by a rival faction, which later formed a caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the crisis deepened on March 9, 2026, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified the Ibadan convention.

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The judgment invalidated the Turaki-led National Working Committee and affirmed the legitimacy of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, following which the caretaker committee announced plans to hold a fresh national convention in Abuja on March 29 and 30, 2026.

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The decision of the Kwara State chapter to participate in the convention underscores ongoing efforts by some state chapters to align with the legally recognised leadership, while the broader crisis within the PDP remains unresolved.