The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed May 23, 2026, for its presidential primary ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The decision was reached on Wednesday at the party’s 106th NEC meeting in Abuja, where leaders reviewed preparations for the polls and the party’s internal processes.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting and read by caretaker committee National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed, the NEC approved a full timetable for primaries across all elective offices, in line with the election schedule released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under the approved schedule, the PDP will submit its membership register to INEC on April 10, 2026.
Primaries for state Houses of Assembly will be held on May 2, followed by National Assembly contests on May 9.
Governorship primaries are slated for May 16, with the presidential primary taking place a week later on May 23.
The NEC said the timetable complies with the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates INEC to issue a notice of election at least 300 days before polling day.
Party organs and stakeholders were urged to adhere strictly to the timelines and statutory provisions, including processes for resolving disputes arising from the primaries.
The committee also reaffirmed plans for the party’s national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, where a new National Working Committee is expected to be elected in line with the PDP constitution.
NEC commended the caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed for stabilising the party during the transition period.
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Members showed satisfaction with the conduct of ward and local government congresses nationwide and voiced confidence that the state congresses due this weekend would be peaceful.
Zonal congresses were approved to take place within the next two weeks as part of preparations for the national convention.
NEC also welcomed recent judgments of the Court of Appeal affirming the leadership of the caretaker committee, saying the rulings had strengthened the party’s constitutional processes.
It called for reconciliation among leaders and urged aggrieved members to resolve disputes internally rather than pursue further litigation, including appeals to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The party also approved the expansion of electronic membership registration, describing it as a move to modernise its database and improve transparency.
However, NEC condemned an attack on party members during recent congresses in Oyo State, calling on security agencies to investigate and bring those responsible to justice.
Those in attendance included the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former governors Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ikpeazu; caretaker chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed; party secretary Sam Anyanwu; and Board of Trustees chairman Mao Ohuabunwa.
The meeting comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP.
Recall that a convention held in Ibadan on November 15 had produced Kabiru Turaki and other members of a National Working Committee, following the exit of former acting chairman Umar Damagum.
A rival faction later formed a caretaker committee, triggering parallel meetings and clashes at the party’s national secretariat, which was subsequently sealed by the Nigeria Police Force.
Legal challenges followed, culminating in a March 9 ruling by the Court of Appeal which nullified the Ibadan convention for breaching electoral and party rules.