The 2016 PDP National Convention was held on Saturday, 21 May 2016 at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It marked the first time the National Convention took place outside Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital.[1] The convention drew delegates from the 36 states, as well as the 12 governors of the PDP, national and state assembly members, former governors, Board of Trustees members and former National Working Committee members. Among those who graced the convention were the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Godswill Akpabio and former Senate President David Mark.
Although well attended, incumbent acting chair of the National Working Committee Ali Modu Sheriff withdrew from the event earlier that day. Sheriff had announced a postponement of the convention over legal issues. This however didn't go down well with some members who declared that the convention must go on as scheduled. After Sheriff's departure, the convention simply continued. Ahmed Makarfi, a former governor, was appointed alongside 6 others to replace Sheriff and the NWC in a caretaker capacity. They will run the affairs of the party until a National Working Committee is elected within 90 days.[2]