2026 Congress to Elect New PBNU General Chairman
Secretary General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul, stated that the agenda for electing the PBNU General Chairman will be one of the main discussions at the upcoming Muktamar. The organisation’s highest forum will also elect the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (Ahwa), which is tasked with determining the Rais Aam.
“Yes, one of them will certainly be the election of the General Chairman and also the election of the Ahwa who will select the Rais Aam,” said Gus Ipul when met at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Jakarta, on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
According to him, the election mechanism at the muktamar is still open for discussion by forum participants or muktamirin. He said the election model could remain the same as before or undergo changes, depending on the decisions of the muktamar participants.
Gus Ipul said the dynamics leading up to the NU Muktamar are heating up, including the emergence of several names rumoured to have a chance of running in the race for PBNU General Chairman. However, he refrained from speculating on who the strongest candidate would be to gain majority support from participants. “Regarding candidates, we’ll see who is chosen by the muktamirin,” he said.
In response to questions about his chances of running as a candidate for PBNU General Chairman, Gus Ipul assured that he would not participate in the candidacy race. He said he has repeatedly stated this position because he believes there are many other figures more suitable to lead the organisation. “I am not running,” he said.
Although there has been no official declaration, Gus Ipul acknowledged that several candidate names are starting to emerge ahead of the muktamar. He estimated that the map of competition would become clearer in the coming weeks. “There are several names, some have already emerged. We’ll just wait and see,” he said.
PBNU has scheduled the 35th Muktamar to take place from 1 to 5 August 2026. Gus Ipul said the location is still under discussion. Several regions such as West Nusa Tenggara, West Sumatra, and some areas in East Java have offered to host.
Ahead of the muktamar, PBNU is also preparing the National Conference of Ulama and the NU Grand Conference in June 2026. The results from these two forums will serve as discussion materials for the 35th Muktamar. In addition to preparing materials, the executives are also beginning to register participants who will attend the organisation’s highest forum.
On the other hand, PBNU is still finalising the issuance of regional and branch management decrees that were delayed due to internal organisational dynamics. Gus Ipul assured that all processes are proceeding according to organisational mechanisms and denied rumours of delays in signing decrees in several regions.