The long-standing internal strife within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has entered a more precarious phase, as the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has stipulated stringent prerequisites for any potential reconciliation with the rival camp led by Mr Taminu Turaki.
The standoff between the two groups has reached a fever pitch following a pivotal Court of Appeal judgment which nullified the party’s November 16, 2025 convention. That convention had initially produced the Turaki-led National Working Committee; however, its dissolution has effectively handed the reins of the party structure to a caretaker committee. This committee, led by Mr Abdulrahaman Muhammed and Secretary Mr Samuel Anyanwu, is widely perceived to operate with the staunch backing of Mr Wike.
The depth of the schism was laid bare this week as both camps convened parallel meetings of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT). The Turaki-aligned BoT, chaired by Senator Adolphus Wabara and supported by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, rejected the appellate court’s ruling. Despite their defiance, the group signalled a tentative openness to dialogue, announcing the formation of a reconciliation committee.
Conversely, the Wike-aligned BoT, led by Mr Sam Ohunabuwa, urged their rivals to abandon plans for an appeal at the Supreme Court. They insisted that the party’s scheduled itinerary including state congresses this weekend, the national convention on March 28 and 29, and the presidential primary on May 23 must proceed without interruption.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday following a consultative meeting with the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, and House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, Mr Wike described the current turmoil as a “natural process” of political evolution.
“PDP will never die,” the Minister asserted. “There comes a time when you have crises, but those crises are for you to put yourself in order. For me, what is happening is a natural process that we must pass through as humans.”
However, Mr Wike was unequivocal regarding the terms of engagement, warning the opposing faction against “covert manoeuvres.” He demanded that any negotiation be conducted with absolute transparency and sincerity.
“I don’t like those who go to negotiate at night and come out to shout in the day,” he remarked, referring to previous failed peace talks. “Let those coming for peace come in the daytime and not at night. Come with concrete proposals.”
Mr Wike further dismissed suggestions that his service in the current APC-led administration compromised his party loyalty, noting that many of his accusers had already defected to the ruling party while he remained a member of the PDP.
The Minister also flatly rejected proposals to form a new caretaker committee to appease aggrieved members. He noted that preparations for the March national convention were complete, with venue fees paid and logistics secured.
“So, let no one bring up another suggestion to form another caretaker committee. I won’t accept that. Convention must hold, and we will allow everybody to participate,” he said. Addressing the threat of a Supreme Court challenge, he added dismissively: “Even in table tennis, one must lose. There is no tie in this game. We have the upper hand.”
Efforts to bridge the divide are being spearheaded by the PDP’s National Assembly caucus. Senator Abba Moro appealed to all parties to prioritise the survival of the PDP over personal ambitions for the 2027 electoral cycle.
“I want to reiterate very emphatically here that the NASS caucus of our great party has always been in the forefront of having a united PDP,” Senator Moro stated, urging a spirit of sacrifice.
Mr Kingsley Chinda expressed optimism that the recent court ruling would stabilise the party and stem the tide of defections. “Monday’s judgment has laid the fear of the viability of the platform to rest,” he said, though he cautioned that “whoever seeks peace must also seek justice.”
As the party prepares for its state congresses this weekend, the success of these internal reforms remains contingent upon whether the rival factions can move beyond “night-time negotiations” toward a transparent and unified constitutional framework.
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