After recent judgment from the Court of Appeal Nigeria, leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) don begin moves to reconcile internal factions in order to prevent the party from collapsing.
Governors under the PDP and the political camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly dey explore options to unite the party either by forming a harmonised caretaker committee or organising a unity national convention.
Party insiders wey speak anonymously say leaders from both sides currently dey hold marathon meetings to agree on the conditions and structure for reconciliation.
The development also come as acting chairman of the Wike-backed caretaker committee, Mohammed Abdulrahman, acting national secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki call on party stakeholders to put aside personal interests and work together for the future of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, PDP governors endorse the national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State which elect Tanimu Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee for four-year term.
The convention also supervise leadership transition from former acting chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before the expiration of Damagum tenure.
However, supporters of Wike later set up a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Anyanwu as acting national secretary with 60-day mandate.
Efforts by both factions to hold separate meetings at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja on November 18, 2025 later turn violent, forcing the Nigeria Police Force to seal the building.
Both factions later approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognition, but the commission refuse to acknowledge any of the groups, leading to long legal battle.
On February 12, the Appeal Court in Abuja hear consolidated cases related to the PDP leadership crisis and deliver judgment on Monday.
The panel led by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma affirm earlier ruling by the Federal High Court which say the processes leading to the Ibadan convention violate the Electoral Act 2022, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the PDP constitution.
Because of this, the court nullify the convention that produce Turaki and other members of the party’s National Working Committee.
Sources from Wike camp say the judgment don push both factions to start discussions on how to protect the party and make sure PDP field candidates for the 2027 elections.
The source say the camp ready for peace and reconciliation, but leaders still dey discuss whether to organise fresh convention or form harmonised caretaker committee.
Meanwhile, sources close to the PDP governors say dem also ready for reconciliation as long as the party remain strong opposition and allowed to present candidates for the 2027 elections.
According to them, the ongoing discussions aim to close the gaps between party stakeholders and rebuild the party structure.
They add say any reconciliation arrangement must follow the Electoral Act 2022, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the PDP constitution.
Party leaders also warn say reconciliation go only succeed if members widely accept the process and the party maintain freedom to function as major opposition ahead of the next general elections.
