A disagreement has emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a proposed reconciliation deal involving the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.
Seyi Makinde and members of the PDP Board of Trustees have reportedly backed a reconciliation initiative aimed at resolving the party’s prolonged leadership crisis. However, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, is said to have rejected the move, insisting he cannot work with the Wike-aligned faction.
Party insiders revealed that while Makinde and other stakeholders favour a peace agreement to stabilise the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections, Bala Mohammed has remained reluctant to support the reconciliation effort.
Leadership crisis deepens
The dispute stems from a long-running leadership tussle in the PDP that began after the party’s national convention in Ibadan on November 15, 2025. The convention elected Tanimu Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year tenure.
However, supporters of Wike rejected the convention and subsequently formed a 13-member caretaker committee, appointing Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary.
Attempts by both factions to meet at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja in November 2025 ended in chaos, prompting the Nigeria Police Force to seal the premises. Both sides later approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognition, but the commission declined to acknowledge either faction.
Court nullifies convention
On March 9, the Court of Appeal nullified the outcome of the Ibadan convention, ruling that the process violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution and the PDP constitution. The decision invalidated the election of Turaki and other National Working Committee members.
In a related development, a separate panel of the appellate court sitting in Ibadan granted the parties permission to pursue an out-of-court settlement and adjourned the case indefinitely to allow negotiations.
The court also advised all parties to consider INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general elections while seeking a peaceful resolution.
BoT pushes reconciliation
Following the ruling, the PDP Board of Trustees, led by its chairman Adolphus Wabara, announced plans to mediate between the rival factions.
The board expressed concern over the internal disputes and said it would establish a special committee to work with legal teams and party leaders to draft a reconciliation agreement. The proposed accord would determine how leadership positions in the party’s National Working Committee would be shared and outline the process for restoring stability.
According to party sources, the agreement would eventually be submitted to the Court of Appeal to make it legally binding on all members.
Wike camp signals readiness for peace
Speaking at a meeting of his faction’s National Executive Committee in Abuja, Wike said he was open to reconciliation but insisted that any peace process must be genuine.
He warned against secret negotiations and urged party leaders seeking peace to present clear proposals publicly.
Wike also dismissed claims that his role in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had compromised his loyalty to the PDP, noting that he remains a member of the party.
He further insisted that the PDP’s planned national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30 should proceed as planned, rejecting suggestions that another caretaker committee be set up.
Calls for unity
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Whip Abba Moro urged party leaders to make compromises to preserve the PDP.
Similarly, House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda described the court ruling as beneficial for both the party and Nigeria’s democracy, expressing optimism that the PDP would regain political strength.
Party leaders have continued efforts to persuade Bala Mohammed to support the reconciliation initiative, stressing that unity is essential for the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
