Amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, the two opposing factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are having difficulty coming to an agreement.
The PDP faction loyal to FCT minister, Nyesom Wike is moving forward with its state congresses today while still enjoying the high of winning at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Verbal suggestions from the other side were rejected by the Wike faction yesterday. It said that written proposals were required.
According to sources, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is the leading voice for reconciliation by the two factions, is currently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj but has not given up on getting the factions to the negotiation table, The Nation gathered yesterday.
Recall that earlier this week, the apex court upheld two judgments of the Federal High Court that voided the November 2025 PDP national convention in Ibadan which produced the Turaki-led national executive committee of the party.
Additionally, it prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from acknowledging the convention’s results.
Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, over a phone call said that his group did not anticipate that the Turaki-led National Working Committee would move the national convention set for March 29 and 30 or make room for a new Caretaker Committee.
“As we have said before, the National Caretaker Committee is open for any form of reconciliation. However, considering the fact that we are at an advantaged position, we are waiting for them to come up with their own proposal,” Mohammed said on the phone.
He added: “When they do that, then we will be able to say this is the direction we are heading and what we are considering.
“It is more like they are the ones coming to us. But for us, we are going ahead with our normal activities irrespective of the feelings of other members of the party.
“As for the reconciliation, we are ready and we are waiting for them to come up with their proposal in writing. It will no longer be a verbal discussion so that nobody will be quoted out of context.
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“We will look at their proposal and then know where to go.
“But in the reconciliation process, there are two no-go areas. One is the contemplation that a new Caretaker Committee will be formed. That is a no go area.
“Second is the issue of the date for the national convention scheduled for 29th and 30th March. That date is sacrosanct and there is no contemplation about changing that date.
According to Jungudo, his council’s lengthy wait for the nominations from the other side to join the committee that would lead the national convention was a sign of the sincerity of their reconciliation.
Meanwhile, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP national publicity secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee, stated that both parties were aware of the pressure placed on them by the INEC schedule and the general election activities.
He told The Nation that “the negotiation teams from both ends will meet and smoothen out the terms of the settlement within the least possible time.”
Speaking further, he said: “We are conscious of the pressure of time which the INEC timetable imposes on us.
“The outcome will be a result of understanding and not concession, because concession has the undertone of loss, while understanding shows empathy and agreement.
“The underpinning philosophy is to save the party from going into extinction and to ensure that the party is strengthened to serve as a viable opposition party to help democratic consolidation.”
While many PDP party leaders, such as Senator Aldophus Wabara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Turaki-led faction, are confident the party will survive, others have suggested that the warring sides reconcile.
A caretaker committee was suggested to replace the Ibadan convention by Dr. Bukola Saraki, who has remained impartial in the conflict between the two camps.
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