Crisis wey dey shake opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), don worsen as governors for the party don distance themselves from the consensus arrangement wey faction loyal to Nyesom Wike use select national chairman and secretary.
The governors talk say dem no go gree for the process, as dem insist say dem go seek legal redress and proper review of how the selection take happen.
Na so Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Abdulrahman Mohammed emerge as consensus candidates for National Secretary and National Chairman, with strong backing from Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Sources wey dey close to PDP governors’ camp and the National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) talk say dem ready to go court to challenge the arrangement and make sure say justice prevail.
On the other hand, top members of the Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee talk say all geopolitical zones don already agree on consensus candidates ahead of the party National Convention wey go hold March 29–30.
Party Crisis Get Two Sides
After almost one year of internal wahala, PDP don split into two major factions.
Governors camp, with support from Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, earlier hold convention for Ibadan on November 16, where dem elect Tanimu Turaki and other officials.
But Wike faction no gree, come set up 13-member caretaker committee for December, appoint Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as acting secretary.
Court Cancel Ibadan Convention
Matter take new turn when Court of Appeal rule on the leadership crisis.
Panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma uphold earlier judgment from Federal High Court wey say Ibadan convention break Electoral Act, Nigerian Constitution and PDP constitution.
Court come cancel the convention and sack Turaki-led National Working Committee.
Another Appeal Court panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill still advise both factions to settle the matter peacefully.
Peace Talks Don Stall
Even though both sides show sign of settlement before, fresh disagreement don scatter the peace talks.
Source from governors’ camp talk say reconciliation fail because Wike faction insist on going ahead with another convention.
According to insiders, consensus method na better way because e save time, money and reduce fight, but governors’ camp no agree say the process follow due procedure.
Warning Against Another Convention
Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, don warn Wike faction not to hold another separate convention.
According to am, such move fit divide PDP more and threaten the survival of the party.
He say both camps earlier agree to organise unity convention before court judgment disrupt the plan.
Olawepo-Hashim also accuse some people wey he call “fifth columnists” of sabotaging reconciliation efforts.
He still warn against attempt to tamper with state party structures for Plateau, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano, say such action go worsen crisis.
Call for Unity
Olawepo-Hashim urge all stakeholders to return to negotiation table and work towards one united leadership.
He say any factional convention go end as “lose-lose” for PDP.
He also advise party leaders to use the March 29 convention for Abuja as opportunity to settle differences, rebuild unity and reposition the party ahead of future elections.
