PDP factions begin reconciliation talks, signal willingness to withdraw cases, make sacrifices, and prepare to field candidates in 2027 elections.
After two days of meeting, the Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed that the factional leaders on both sides have broken the ice and are already exploring various pathways to a lasting resolution.
Turaki said the party was willing to make sacrifices for peace, including bending over and backwards. But he insisted PDP would field candidates for all positions in next year’s general election.
He assured members that all hopes towards reconciliation were not lost, but said such efforts must be within the dictates of the party’s constitution.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), Turaki said, “I can unequivocally confirm that, as of today, leaders on both sides have broken the ice and are exploring various pathways towards a lasting resolution.
“We urge our supporters across the board to immediately de-escalate high-tempered communications and actions, so as not to jeopardise the ongoing peace efforts.
“To all aspirants who have stood with us thus far, we assure you that, by the grace of God, our party will field candidates for all elective offices, in compliance with Article 6(2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“In obedience to the advisory of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, a few weeks ago, the parties in the suit should explore reconciliation to save the party from further strife and provide a platform for aspirants to seek elective offices in the coming elections.”
Turaki said, “The Board of Trustees of the party, ably led by His Excellency, Senator Adolphus Wabara, GCON, constituted a high-powered committee to interface with our estranged party members, with a view to resolving outstanding issues and repositioning the party for the elections.
“In furtherance of this, the National Working Committee immediately issued a notice postponing the National Executive Committee and National Caucus meetings earlier scheduled to be held two days later, as a demonstration of good faith.
“We also de-escalated combative communication on all fronts.”
However, he said, “While we expected a reciprocal gesture, what we have witnessed instead is the weaponisation of hurtful rhetoric and the issuance of derogatory statements.
“Notwithstanding, we remain mindful of the far-reaching implications of this dispute, particularly within the tight timelines of the extant Electoral Act. We, therefore, call on the leadership of the other group to act in the overall interest of our numerous party members who look to our platform to pursue elective offices.
“We also sincerely appreciate Nigerians across the country who have continued to show interest in our party and have registered via our e-registration platform, www.iampdp.org.
“Despite recent challenges, the faith of our core supporters remains unshaken. It is for them that we are making every effort to resolve the issues before us.”
The PDP leader stated, “As we are aware, democracy is not merely about the periodic conduct of elections; it also requires a virile opposition and an active civil society to hold government accountable.
“As Nigeria’s only surviving legacy party in the current republic, with the rare privilege of having led this country for 16 years, we remain committed to defending and consolidating our democracy, even as an opposition party.”
He said, “We call on those in authority to remain conscious that they are delegates of the people, and that their actions must, at all times, align with the will of the people. Ultimate power resides with the people; it must therefore remain the centre piece of governance.”
Turaki conveyed the NWC’s “unanimous vote of confidence passed on Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde for their resilience and steadfast leadership in the face of recent challenges”.
He reassured Nigerians that PDP was “alive and will participate in the forthcoming elections, offering a credible platform for robust political contests at all levels, so that power may truly return to the people”.
Fielding questions at the press conference Turaki stated, ‘’We have hope and confidence that we can still work together. We have confidence that in life there are times to fight and there are also times to make peace. But even when you choose to fight and go to war and win the war, you also need to win the peace.
‘’So, if you have a pathway to winning the peace without necessarily going to war, why not take peace and forego the war?’’
Turaki said, ‘’Let me also add that we understand that in human life, every time something good is coming your way, there are people from unimaginable and unbelievable quarters – sometimes those you think are friends or family – who will be the first to rise and truncate those good things coming your way.
‘’I am not saying there are no good elements on both sides whose sole intention is to preserve peace in this country. I am saying there are some people fighting so that this party will go down.
‘’From last night, these two elements have been identified and flushed out in the discussions between the two sides.
“Matters in court continue. Even as I speak, there are cases filed by both parties, including appeals at the Court of Appeal. Some appeals have been filed by them, others by us, though some have not been taken.”
Turaki said, ‘’As a senior lawyer, I can say that the best judges would advise parties to explore out-of-court settlements whenever possible. In Nigeria, once parties go to court, more issues emerge, and relationships rarely recover.
‘’We have chosen the path of peace in the overall interest of party members, particularly our teeming supporters, who want PDP to remain an effective platform for the forthcoming elections.
“As soon as we reach agreeable terms, which we will honour even in the Court of Appeal, we will willingly withdraw all cases—whether at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, or elsewhere—to give peace a chance.
‘’All cases will give way for peace as soon as we reach that point.”
He said, “On the issue of compromise, we are willing to bend as far as our necks and backs allow. We are ready to make all sorts of sacrifices in the overall interest of the party.
‘’PDP will not die. Everything possible will be done to make this reconciliation work; nothing is impossible. Issues such as attendance at the convention are among those to be discussed. Once these matters are deliberated, the parties and delegates will decide whether the convention needs to continue.
‘’These issues are on the table and will be considered carefully.”
Turaki identified resilience as a unique feature of PDP, saying, “We have internal shock absorbers that allow us to come together and resolve differences in a family manner, without giving room for outside speculation.
‘’For PDP to have survived as the only legacy party since 1990 demonstrates something special and unique about us. These unique features will be deployed to reunite PDP’s family. I want to assure Nigerians that PDP is alive and all hope is not lost.”