Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Kabiru Turaki have reaffirmed their commitment to reconciliation within the party, assuring Nigerians that the opposition party will be fully prepared for the 2027 general elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) confirmed that a fresh reconciliation process has begun to address divisions among aggrieved factions of the party.
Turaki gave the assurance after a two-day emergency consultative meeting held in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed the party’s lingering internal crisis and discussed ways to restore unity.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Turaki — who heads the faction that emerged from the November 15 and 16 National Convention in Ibadan — said “hope is not lost” for the party despite the disputes.
He explained that the reconciliation effort followed guidance from the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, which encouraged the parties involved in the dispute to pursue an amicable resolution in the interest of the party’s stability and electoral prospects.
Turaki disclosed that the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, had constituted a high-powered committee to engage aggrieved members and address issues threatening the party’s cohesion.
“In demonstration of good faith, the National Working Committee (NWC) postponed earlier scheduled meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Caucus, while also de-escalating combative communication,” he said.
However, he expressed concern over what he described as the continued use of “hurtful rhetoric and derogatory statements” by the opposing camp, warning that such actions could undermine ongoing peace efforts.
Despite the challenges, Turaki noted that leaders from both sides had begun to “break the ice” and were exploring options for a lasting resolution, urging party members to avoid inflammatory comments that could derail the process.
He also commended Nigerians who continue to identify with the party, particularly through its electronic membership registration platform, saying the PDP’s support base remains resilient despite recent setbacks.
Reaffirming the party’s role in Nigeria’s democratic process, Turaki described the PDP as a “legacy platform” with a duty to provide credible opposition and strengthen democratic governance.
He further conveyed a vote of confidence passed by the faction’s NWC on Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, praising their leadership and resilience.
On the national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, by the faction supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and led by the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) chaired by Abdulrahman Mohammed, Turaki said his group’s participation would depend on the outcome of the reconciliation process.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC), at its 107th meeting in Abuja earlier this week, reaffirmed the party’s zoning formula for national elective positions and called for unity ahead of the convention.
In a communiqué signed by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, the NEC ratified reports of recently concluded ward, local council, state and zonal congresses, describing them as largely peaceful, transparent and credible.
In a separate statement he personally signed, Turaki said leaders were considering various pathways to achieve lasting peace within the party.
However, speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing and completed projects across Abuja, Wike downplayed concerns about internal disagreements within the PDP, insisting that the party’s national convention would proceed as scheduled.
According to him, the timeline for political activities — particularly party primaries scheduled to hold between April 23 and May 13 in line with the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — leaves little room for delays.
“Every process has its own timeline. Holding a convention does not preclude reconciliation,” he said, adding that both processes could run simultaneously.
Wike also rejected claims of factionalisation within the PDP, saying he was unaware of any distinct camps in the party.
“As far as I am concerned, there is only one PDP. It would be incorrect to suggest otherwise unless clearly defined. Some individuals may not be happy, but that does not translate to faction,” he stated.
He acknowledged, however, that some aggrieved members had begun moves toward reconciliation.
“Yes, some individuals have reached out to say, ‘let bygones be bygones,’ but that does not mean there is any faction. Reconciliation can still go on even as the convention proceeds,” he added.
