PDP: Wike’s Faction Sets Conditions For Reconciliation With Turaki Faction

The caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday outlined conditions for possible reconciliation with the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Taminu Turaki, amid the lingering leadership crisis in the party.

The caretaker committee, which enjoys the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is currently locked in a power struggle with the Turaki camp supported by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

The development followed the Court of Appeal judgment that nullified the November 16, 2025 national convention which produced the Turaki-led National Working Committee.

Following the ruling, the caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as secretary, has assumed control of the party and is pushing ahead with its programme of activities.

The committee has scheduled state congresses for this weekend and fixed the party’s national convention for March 28 and 29.

It also announced May 23 as the date for the presidential primary.

Meanwhile, both factions held expanded meetings of their respective Boards of Trustees on Wednesday as part of efforts to address the crisis.

The Board of Trustees of the Makinde-Turaki faction, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, rejected the Court of Appeal judgment but signalled its willingness to pursue reconciliation with the rival group.

The faction also announced the formation of a reconciliation committee, although members of the panel were not disclosed.

However, the Board of Trustees aligned with the Wike group, led by Sam Ohunabuwa, called for unity within the party and advised the opposing camp against approaching the Supreme Court.

The group insisted that the planned congresses, convention and other party activities would proceed as scheduled.

Wike Lists Conditions For Reconciliation

Speaking after a meeting with the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, and the House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, in Abuja, Wike said reconciliation must be based on transparency and sincerity.

Among the conditions he listed were recognition of the caretaker committee as the dominant leadership structure of the party and respect for the already announced timelines for congresses, convention and presidential primaries.

Wike said, “PDP will never die.

“There comes a time when you have crises, but those crises are for you to put yourself in order. Life is in stages. For me, what is happening is a natural process that we must pass through as humans. We are for reconciliation, but genuine reconciliation.”

He urged members of the Turaki faction to clearly state their proposals for peace.

He said, “Minority leader, when you are talking about reconciliation, come with your terms of reconciliation so that we will know.

“Concrete proposals, not like the last time you came to me and before I knew it, you were in Ibadan for the convention.

“I don’t like those who go to negotiate at night and come out to shout in the day. Let those coming for peace come in the daytime and not at night.”

The minister also dismissed claims that he had become a “mole” within the PDP because of his role in the APC-led Federal Government.

“It was as if I was the cause of the problem because I am working in an APC administration, but all the ones who accused me are today in APC, and I, whom they accused, have not left the PDP,” he said.

Wike also rejected suggestions that a new caretaker committee should be constituted to placate aggrieved members.

The minister stated, “The party is working hard for the convention to hold. They have paid the necessary fees. They have secured the venue.

“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.”

On the possibility of further legal action, he said, “They said they are going to the Supreme Court; it is okay. The court is for everybody. Even in table tennis, one must lose.

“There is no tie in this game. We have the upper hand, and we will tell you this is what we want.”

Moro Seeks Compromise

Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro called for a middle ground between the rival factions, stressing the need for unity within the party.

He revealed that he had earlier met with the Turaki faction in search of a resolution to the crisis.

Moro said, “I bring you solidarity from the National Assembly. 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.

“Crisis has rocked the PDP for some time, and the NASS caucus under my leadership and Hon. Kingsley Chinda resolved that we must provide a platform so that we can act as one.”

He added that the survival of the party must come before personal ambitions.

“Whether I contest the election in 2027 or not, the survival of PDP is paramount to me. I cannot abandon it. Everybody should accept some level of sacrifice,” he said.

Appeal Court Ruling ‘Lifeline For Democracy’ — Chinda

Also speaking, House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, described the Court of Appeal judgment as a turning point for the party.

He said, “For us, we are happy that the judgment of Monday is not just for PDP but for democracy in the country.

“You have seen the exodus of our members in the past just because of the fear of the viability of the platform, but Monday’s judgment has laid all that to rest.

“We want to assure you that within a short time in the House of Representatives, you will see people defecting to the PDP.”

He, however, stressed that reconciliation must be anchored on justice.

“Yes, we crave for peace, but whoever seeks peace must also seek justice. That is the only thing that can give us sustained peace,” Chinda said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP in Imo State, Austin Nwachukwu, who heads the party’s Forum of State Chairmen, said grassroots leaders were satisfied with the current direction of the party.

“My colleagues who are state chairmen said they are very pleased with the way things are going on now in the party,” he said.

He also urged the party to begin modernising its membership structure ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“We also wish to ask the party to critically examine the Amended Electoral Act, particularly regarding membership registration. We urge that the party takes this very seriously,” Nwachukwu added.

The meeting was attended by former governors Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ikpeazu, caretaker committee chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, secretary Senator Sam Anyanwu, and Board of Trustees chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, among others.