Key stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have drawn up sweeping conditions for reconciliation as efforts intensify to resolve the party’s prolonged internal leadership crisis.
Investigations indicate that the negotiations centre on critical issues such as party leadership structure, the possibility of holding another national convention, demands for both public and private apologies, withdrawal of court cases, and potential compromises within the party’s governing organs.
Members from both factions of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) — led separately by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and Abdulrahman Mohammed — confirmed that dialogue is ongoing, though discussions are still at a preliminary stage.
Sources familiar with the talks, who spoke anonymously, revealed that options under consideration include convening a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting or organising a fresh national convention to reset the party’s leadership framework.
Earlier, PDP governors had thrown their weight behind the Ibadan convention of November 16, which produced Turaki and other NWC members for a four-year tenure.
However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, along with his allies — Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu — continue to insist that they remain the party’s acting National Chairman and acting National Secretary, respectively.
Although PDP governors successfully oversaw a transition from former chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki ahead of the expiration of Damagum’s tenure on December 9, 2025, the Wike-aligned faction went ahead a day earlier to establish a 13-member caretaker committee with a 60-day mandate.
Since then, both camps have been seeking recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, INEC has declined to acknowledge candidates presented by either faction for the Ekiti governorship election.
Party insiders said the PDP’s inability to field candidates, combined with a wave of defections to the APC and ADC, has deepened fears over the party’s relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
One senior party source noted that leaders are increasingly convinced that prolonged legal battles could severely damage the party’s prospects.
“INEC’s posture and its engagements with both factions have made it clear that a political solution is unavoidable. Court cases will drag on and could be disastrous for the PDP going into 2027,” the source said.
He added that many of the suits are still before the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, warning that escalation to the Supreme Court could extend beyond the primary election period.
According to multiple sources, reconciliation talks are anchored on several major conditions, including:
- Issuance of public and private apologies over past hostility and name-calling
- Removal of all suspensions and expulsions
- Withdrawal of all pending court cases
- Convening of a properly constituted NEC meeting, possibly leading to a caretaker arrangement
- Formal notification to, and supervision by, INEC
- Possible compromises or fresh congresses in disputed party structures
“There is also growing support for another national convention if a NEC meeting fails to resolve the crisis,” a source told The PUNCH. “Whatever path is chosen, INEC must be fully involved.”
Another insider disclosed that former Senate President Bukola Saraki, alongside PDP leaders in the National Assembly, NEC, and Board of Trustees, is playing a central role in behind-the-scenes reconciliation efforts.
“This is a sensitive peace process, so not everything can be made public. But major stakeholders are quietly engaging, and there is optimism that unity will be restored,” the source said.
Responding to inquiries, the Turaki-led NWC’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, confirmed that consultations are ongoing but said no formal terms had been finalised.
“The PDP exists to win elections. Any reconciliation process that strengthens the party is welcome,” he said, noting that compromise would be required from all sides.
Similarly, Okechukwu Osuoha, a member of the Wike-backed caretaker committee, acknowledged that talks were in progress and expressed hope that significant progress would be achieved before the end of the month.
“For us, reconciliation remains the only viable option. The convention created legal complications, which is why INEC has refused to recognise the party’s candidate,” Osuoha said.
He added that the caretaker committee is open to sincere reconciliation efforts aimed at stabilising the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
© 2025 Gossip News Now, a division of CHIEJOS HARBIAN DIGITAL MEDIA LTD. Contact us via admin@gossipnewsnow.online
