The Peoples Democratic Party has launched a new reconciliation effort aimed at bringing together its divided factions.
The Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee, with backing from PDP governors, announced on Wednesday in Abuja that initial efforts are already showing progress.
Turaki said, “From last night and this morning, the reconciliation is yielding some results.”
He explained that the initiative followed an advisory from the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, urging the disputing parties to explore reconciliation.
“In obedience to the advisory of the Court of Appeal… the Board of Trustees… 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,” he added.
Turaki noted that the National Working Committee had taken early steps to demonstrate good faith, including postponing key meetings and reducing tensions.
“In furtherance of this, the National Working Committee immediately issued a notice postponing the National Executive Committee and National Caucus meetings… We also de-escalated combative communication on all fronts,” he said.
However, he pointed out that the opposing faction has not fully reciprocated, stating, “what we have witnessed instead is the weaponisation of hurtful rhetoric and the issuance of derogatory statements.”
Despite this, Turaki said progress is being made.
“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,” he said, urging supporters to “de-escalate high-tempered communications and actions.”
He assured party members that the PDP would participate in the upcoming elections.
“To all aspirants… we assure you that… our party will field candidates for all elective offices,” he said.
Turaki emphasised the importance of unity, adding, “We have confidence that we can still work together and that this reconciliation will work… if you have a pathway to winning the peace without necessarily going to war, why not take peace and forego the war?”
He also revealed that contentious elements hindering peace had been identified.
“From last night, these two elements have been identified and flushed out in the discussions between the two sides,” he said.
Regarding ongoing legal disputes, Turaki stated that court cases would be withdrawn once an agreement is reached.
“As soon as we reach agreeable terms… we will willingly withdraw all cases… to give peace a chance. All cases will give way for peace,” he said.
He added that the party is prepared to make concessions.
“We are willing to bend as far as our necks and backs allow… PDP will not die. Everything possible will be done to make this reconciliation work,” he said.
The reconciliation effort follows nearly a year of internal crisis that split the PDP into two factions.
The governors’ camp, supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, held a convention on November 16 in Ibadan, electing Turaki and others to the National Working Committee.
In response, the Nyesom Wike-led faction formed a 13-member National Caretaker Working Committee in December, appointing Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary.
On March 9, the Court of Appeal upheld a Federal High Court ruling nullifying the Ibadan convention and the election of Turaki and other officials for violating the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP Constitution.
However, another Court of Appeal panel in Ibadan directed the parties to pursue an amicable settlement.
Although both factions have recently shown signs of reconciliation, disagreements over the convention and new stakeholder positions indicate that the peace process is still ongoing.