PDP factions open to reconciliation
Leaders of the two factions within the Peoples Democratic Party have indicated their willingness to settle the leadership dispute affecting the party following advice from the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The development came after the court encouraged both sides to resolve their disagreements through dialogue rather than prolonged legal battles.
The factions linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the group associated with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde both confirmed their readiness to consider reconciliation.
Representatives of the two camps spoke separately about the issue on Saturday after the court session.
The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Biobele Georgewill, gave the advice while hearing an appeal related to the ongoing leadership dispute in the party.
During the proceedings, the court suggested that the matter should be resolved internally by the party and later adjourned the case until March 11 to allow further consideration.
The legal dispute before the court concerns conflicting judgments earlier delivered by two different courts over the legitimacy of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
The convention produced a National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, but the outcome later became the subject of legal challenges.
One faction of the party, linked to Wike and led by caretaker chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, previously obtained a judgment from the Federal High Court in Ibadan which nullified the convention that produced the Turaki leadership.
However, another judgment delivered by the Oyo State High Court in February ruled that the same convention followed the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
That ruling recognised Turaki as the validly elected national chairman of the party. The two judgments created confusion within the party as both factions began laying claim to its leadership while also seeking recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Following the conflicting rulings, both groups approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decisions of the lower courts. The current proceedings are aimed at determining the validity of the earlier judgments and clarifying the leadership of the party.
Members of the caretaker committee faction stated that they were open to dialogue with the opposing group. According to the acting national secretary of the caretaker committee, Samuel Anyanwu, some party stakeholders have already started efforts to mediate between the two sides even though a direct meeting has not yet taken place.
He explained that individuals within the party were working behind the scenes to encourage reconciliation in order to restore unity within the organisation. However, he also alleged that members of the rival faction were partly responsible for prolonging the dispute.
The caretaker committee maintained that it remains the structure recognised by the electoral commission to represent the party in official matters. It also rejected suggestions that the current crisis was caused by the political influence of Wike.
On the other side, the faction led by Turaki also stated that it would support reconciliation if it strengthens the party.
The National Publicity Secretary of the group, Ini Ememobong, explained that the appellate court did not deliver a final judgment during the hearing but only advised the factions to explore settlement.
He stated that the adjournment granted by the court would allow time for the party to resolve the crisis internally. According to him, the Turaki group would support any reconciliation process capable of restoring stability and preparing the party for future elections.
The leadership crisis within the PDP has continued for several months and has affected the party’s internal structure.
Political observers believe that resolving the dispute could help the party rebuild unity and strengthen its position ahead of future electoral contests.