Wike insists on convention despite rift
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Kabiru Turaki have pledged renewed commitment to reconciliation efforts within the party, assuring Nigerians that the opposition platform will participate fully in the 2027 general elections.

The Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, yesterday, confirmed the commencement of a fresh reconciliation process to unite aggrieved factions within the party.

However, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, dismissed concerns over internal disagreements within PDP, insisting that the party’s national convention would proceed as scheduled despite ongoing reconciliation efforts.

The assurance by Turaki followed a two-day emergency consultative meeting in Abuja, where stakeholders deliberated on the lingering internal crisis and pathways to restoring unity across factions.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Turaki, who leads the faction that emerged from the November 15 and 16 National Convention in Ibadan, declared that “hope is not lost” for the party, despite ongoing disputes.

He explained that the reconciliation initiative was in line with the advice of the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, which urged parties in the dispute to explore amicable resolution to safeguard PDP’s stability and electoral prospects.

According to him, the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), under the leadership of Senator Adolphus Wabara, constituted a high-powered committee to engage aggrieved members and resolve outstanding issues threatening cohesion within the party.

“In demonstration of good faith, the National Working Committee (NWC) postponed earlier scheduled meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Caucus, while also de-escalating combative communication,” he said.

Turaki, however, expressed concern over what he described as the continued use of “hurtful rhetoric and derogatory statements” by the opposing camp, noting that such actions could undermine ongoing peace efforts.

Despite this, he disclosed that leaders across the divide had begun to “break the ice” and were actively exploring options for a lasting resolution. He urged party faithful to avoid inflammatory remarks and actions capable of derailing reconciliation.

He also commended Nigerians who have continued to identify with the party, particularly through its electronic membership registration platform, noting that the support base remained resilient despite recent challenges.

Reaffirming the PDP’s role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution, Turaki described the party as a “legacy platform” with a responsibility to provide credible opposition and deepen democratic governance.

He conveyed a vote of confidence passed by the faction’s NWC on Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde for their leadership and resilience.

On the national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, by the faction backed by Wike, and led by the National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) with Abdulrahman Mohammed as Chairman, Turaki said his group’s participation would depend on the outcome of the reconciliation process.

Meanwhile, the PDP’s NEC had at its 107th meeting in Abuja earlier this week, reaffirmed its zoning formula for national elective positions and called for unity as preparations intensify for the convention.

In a communiqué signed by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Samuel Anyanwu, NEC ratified reports of recently concluded ward, local council, state and zonal congresses, describing them as largely peaceful, transparent and credible.

In a statement he personally signed, Turaki, whose group is backed by the party’s governors, said leaders were exploring various pathways towards a lasting resolution.
BUT speaking with journalists yesterday after inspecting ongoing and completed projects across Abuja, Wike maintained that the existence of grievances among party members does not amount to factionalisation.

According to him, the timetable for political activities, particularly party primaries slated to hold between April 23 and May 13 in line with the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), leaves little room for delays.

“Every process has its own timeline. Holding a convention does not preclude reconciliation,” he said, noting that both processes could run concurrently.

Wike dismissed claims of divisions within the PDP, claiming ignorance of any distinct camps within the party.

“As far as I am concerned, there is only one PDP. It would be incorrect to suggest otherwise unless clearly defined. Some individuals may not be happy, but that does not translate to faction,” he stated.

He, however, acknowledged that some aggrieved members have begun moves towards reconciliation.

“Yes, some individuals have reached out to say, ‘let bygones be bygones,’ but that does not mean there is any faction. Reconciliation can still go on even as the convention proceeds,” he added.