Wike-backed PDP factionlists terms for reconciliation
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker committee yesterday set terms for possible reconciliation with the Taminu Turaki-led faction. The caretaker enjoys the backing of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory
- •Camp fixes presidential primary for May 23
- Makinde-Turaki group raises peace panel
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker committee yesterday set terms for possible reconciliation with the Taminu Turaki-led faction.
The caretaker enjoys the backing of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, while the Turaki camp is supported by the remaining governors, Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).
The two groups have been holding series of meetings since Monday after the Court of Appeal verdict on the crisis in the party.
The judgment nullified the November 16, 2025 convention, which produced the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC)
The caretaker committee led by Abdulrahaman Muhammed and Senator Samuel Anyawu as secretary took a firm grip of the party, pushing ahead with their plans for congresses in some states this weekend and the national convention for March 28 and 29.
It has also fixed presidential primary for May 23.
Both groups yesterday had expanded meetings of Boards of Trustees (BoT).
The Adolphus Wabara-led BoT of the Makinde-Turaki faction said it rejected the Court of Appeal judgment but hinted of a desire for reconciliation with the Wike group.
It raised a committee for reconciliation. The members were not named.
The Sam Ohunabuwa-led BoT of the Wike group called for unity and advised the Makinde faction against proceeding to the Supreme Court on appeal.
It insisted that the plan for congresses, convention and other activities will go on.
Wike listed the conditions for reconciliation as:
•Transparency
•Sincerity of intention
•Recognition of the caretaker committee as the dominant force
•Sanctity of congresses, convention, presidential primary dates
•No tampering with caretaker committee
Speaking after meeting with Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro and House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda in Abuja, Wike said: “PDP will never die.
“There comes a time when you have crises, but those crises are for you to put yourself in order. Life is in stages. For me, what is happening is a natural process that we must pass through as humans. We are for reconciliation, but genuine reconciliation.”
He urged the Turaki faction to be transparent about their intentions instead of indulging in clandestine manoeuvres.
Wike added: “Minority leader, when you are talking about reconciliation, come with your terms of reconciliation so that we will know.
“Concrete proposals, not like the last time you came to me and before I knew it, you were in Ibadan for the convention.
“I don’t like those who go to negotiate at night and come out to shout in the day. Let those coming for peace come in the daytime and not at night.”
The minister dismissed accusations that his role in the APC-led administration made him a “mole” within the PDP.
He said: “It was as if I was the cause of the problem because I am working in an APC administration, but all the ones who accused me are today in APC, and I, whom they accused, have not left the PDP.”
Read Also: Wike-led PDP faction holds BoT meeting Wednesday
Wike also spoke on the proposed National Convention, rejecting any suggestion of forming a new caretaker committee to appease aggrieved members.
He emphasised that the logistics for the transition are already finalised.
The minister stressed: “The party is working hard for the convention to hold. They have paid the necessary fees. They have secured the venue.
“So, let no one bring up another suggestion to form another caretaker committee. I won’t accept that. Convention must hold, and we will allow everybody to participate.”
On those threatening further legal action at the apex court, Wike said: “They said they are going to the Supreme Court; it is okay. The court is for everybody. Even in table tennis, one must lose.
“There is no tie in this game. We have the upper hand, and we will tell you this is what we want.”
Moro seeks middle ground
Senator Moro, while acknowledging Wike’s indispensable role in the party, pleaded for a middle ground.
He explained that he had met earlier in the day with the faction led by Turaki in search of a resolution.
Moro said: “I bring you solidarity from the National Assembly. I want to reiterate very emphatically here that the NASS caucus of our great party has always been in the forefront of having a united PDP.
“Crisis has rocked the PDP for some time, and the NASS caucus under my leadership and Hon. Kingsley Chinda resolved that we must provide a platform so that we can act as one.”
Moro urged members to prioritise the party’s survival over personal ambitions.
He said: “Whether I contest the election in 2027 or not, the survival of PDP is paramount to me. I cannot abandon it. Everybody should accept some level of sacrifice.”
The House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, described the Court of Appeal judgment as a lifeline for the party’s future.
He said: “For us, we are happy that the judgment of Monday is not just for PDP but for democracy in the country.
“You have seen the exodus of our members in the past just because of the fear of the viability of the platform, but Monday’s judgment has laid all that to rest.
“We want to assure you that within a short time in the House of Representatives, you will see people defecting to the PDP.”
Chinda also echoed the need for fairness in the peace process.
“Yes, we crave for peace, but whoever seeks peace must also seek justice. That is the only thing that can give us sustained peace,” he said.
The Chairman of the Imo State chapter of the party, Austin Nwachukwu, who chairs the party’s Forum of State Chairmen, noted that the grassroots leadership is aligned with the current trajectory.
He also urged the party to move towards technical modernisation of its membership ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Nwachukwu added: “My colleagues who are state chairmen said they are very pleased with the way things are going on now in the party.
“We also wish to ask the party to critically examine the Amended Electoral Act, particularly regarding membership registration. We urge that the party takes this very seriously.”
The meeting was attended by former Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue State) and Dr. Ifeanyi Ikpeazu (Abia); Caretaker Committee Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed; Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu; and Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, among others.
Wike/Anyanwu camp: Enough of litigations
The Wike/Anyanwu faction advised Turaki and Wabara not to go to the Supreme Court on appeal.
The Chairman of the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC), Abdulrahman Mohammed, who spoke at the BoT meeting held at Wike’s official residence in Abuja, called for unity.
He said: “As we proceed with the preparations towards our National Convention, we shall wait for the Certified True Copy of the judgments by the Court of Appeal to prepare ourselves for further defence at the Supreme Court, if the need arises.
“I want to call on all party stakeholders, leaders and members to unite ourselves for the betterment of our great party. Enough of the litigations that will delay our activities towards the 2027 general elections and off-season elections.”
Wabara-led BoT rejects judgment, opts for truce
The factional Wabara-led BoT rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which voided the National Convention.
However, it also opted to explore the window of reconciliation offered by the Ibadan division of the appellate court.
The position of the BoT is contained in an eleven-point communiqué issued at the end of its expanded emergency meeting presided over by Senator Wabara.
The communiqué reads in part: “The BoT disagrees with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which pronounced the invalidation of the November 15 to 16, 2025, National Convention that produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of our party. The BoT is awaiting the advice of our lawyers on the way forward.
“The BoT is disturbed by the avoidable internal leadership disputes and wranglings leading to damaging litigations with consequential detrimental effects on the unity and smooth running of the PDP as the major opposition party in the country.
“The Board, however, acknowledges and resolves to explore the window provided by the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, for reconciliation within the party.”
Wike-led faction pushes for unity
The BoT of the Wike-led faction said the era of relentless legal battles should give way to reconciliation and party reunion.
Its chairman, Senator Ohuabunwa, said: “The court has spoken once again that the rule of law must prevail in our party’s internal affairs. I want to call on all party stakeholders and leaders to unite ourselves for the betterment of our party. Enough of litigation that will delay our activities towards the 2027 general election.”
He described the BoT meeting as a “defining moment” for the PDP and called for “wisdom, institutional memory and calm reflection.”
Court advises PDP to settle conflicts
Also, an Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, which heard the suit on the Ibadan convention, advised the two camps to resolve their conflict amicably after adjourning the case brought before it by party chieftains indefinitely.
Justice Biobele Georgewill, who presided over the three-man panel, directed the party’s attention to the urgency of conflict resolution.
He added that the PDP should be mindful of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regulations and guidelines on next year’s elections.
The INEC guidelines stipulate that primaries to pick candidates by parties should be held and concluded between April 23 and May 30.
Since the Court of Appeal voided the controversial Ibadan national convention, the two factions have held meetings to determine their next line of action.
Justice Georgewill urged the parties, represented by their various counsels, to be mindful of the INEC timetable for the 2027 general election.
He advised the party to embrace peaceful resolution of conflict in the interest of unity.
After counsel announced appearances when the matter came up, the judge asked each of the parties whether they were willing and open to settling the matter.
All the counsel answered in the affirmative.
Justice Georgewill expressed delight at the efforts geared towards resolving the conflict, describing it as a family affair.
He said: “Also, the case has been adjourned sine die to allow all the parties to meet for reconciliation.
“The court should be duly informed through writing of the decision reached, whether they agreed or disagreed on the terms of settlement.
“To this end, all the pending motions on notice on this case have been adjourned sine die.”
