Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and the camp of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike are attempting to unite in the wake of Monday’s Court of Appeal ruling by looking into ways to either hold a unity convention or create a harmonised Caretaker Committee in order to keep the party from disintegrating.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, PDP leaders informed our reporter that both sides are holding lengthy talks to settle the terms and procedures for reconciliation.
This comes as former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Acting Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, and Acting National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Wike-backed caretaker committee urged all parties involved to put aside personal interests, promote unity, and work together to fortify the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Ibadan Convention, which was convened on November 15 and elected Taminu Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee to four-year terms, was already approved by the governors.
Additionally, they managed the handover of power from former Acting Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before to Damagum’s term ending on December 9.
In retaliation, a group of supporters of the FCT minister formed a 13-person Caretaker Committee on December 8, designating Anyanwu as acting national secretary and Abdulrahman as acting national chairman, among other positions, with a 60-day term.
On November 18, 2025, attempts by the governors’ camp and the Wike-aligned group to meet at the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata Plaza resulted in physical altercations. The secretariat has remained closed ever since the Nigeria Police Force sealed it.
Later, both groups applied to the Independent National Electoral body for recognition, but the body rejected their requests, resulting in protracted court battles.
The Court of Appeal heard the combined cases pertaining to the PDP leadership issue on February 12 and rendered its rulings on Monday.
The Federal High Court in Abuja’s ruling that the procedures leading up to the PDP National Convention, which was supported by the governors and took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the party’s constitution was upheld by the appellate court, which was presided over by Justice Mohammed Danjuma.
The outcome of the convention that produced Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee was declared invalid by the court since it was not conducted in accordance with the law.
Since the Appeal Court’s decision, leaders from both parties have been thinking about how to protect the party and make sure it has candidates for the 2027 elections, according to a source close to Wike’s camp.
He stated, “You see, since the Appeal Court judgment, what I am aware of is that our side here, if you listen to what His Excellency, the former Rivers State Governor, said, he called for peace and a truce. So, it is a signal that we are ready for reconciliation.
“The discussion is already ongoing. We are ready to reconcile and to move the party forward. It is in the interest of the party that we all work together.
An insider in the governors’ camp stated that they are ready for reconciliation, provided the PDP is allowed to function freely as an opposition party and present candidates for the 2027 elections.
He stated, “Reconciliation is vital for the party at this moment to preserve PDP. On our part, we are ready to reconcile with anyone willing to support the PDP in its efforts to thrive as a genuine opposition party. Our main concern, however, is that some people may not want the party to have a presidential candidate or candidates for key positions, which we see as a threat.
Anyanwu hinted to the reconciliation efforts by recalling the FCT minister’s response to Monday’s ruling, which called for unity of purpose and opened the way for the upcoming national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.
Anyanwu informed PDP candidates that there is no reason to be concerned about their involvement in the party’s electoral procedures when touring the convention’s location at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja.
“I just want to use the opportunity to tell our party faithful, all those members who want to contest an election under the platform of the PDP, that they should not be afraid.
Governor Seyi Makinde, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum Chairman, characterised the situation as difficult for the party.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong told reporters during the extended BoT meeting that the governors’ camp is ready for any reconciliation meant to secure the PDP’s continued existence.
He underlined that a reconciliation cannot be deemed genuine if it turns the PDP into a sub-party or appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Governor Seyi Makinde, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum Chairman, characterised the situation as difficult for the party.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong told reporters during the extended BoT meeting that the governors’ camp is ready for any reconciliation meant to secure the PDP’s continued existence.
He underlined that a reconciliation cannot be deemed genuine if it turns the PDP into a sub-party or appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
