2027: It’s improper for PDP to back Tinubu, Turaki-led PDP declares amid peace talks

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday drew a firm line ahead of the 2027 election, saying it will not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, even as fresh efforts begin to reconcile feuding factions within the party.

At the centre of the talks is a defining question for the PDP’s future: can it hold together as a credible opposition party?

The message came during a live interview on Arise TV, where Ini Ememobong, the factional National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, spoke for the Turaki-led camp, following earlier moves by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, who is leading the reconciliation process.

“It is improper, unjust, and fundamentally unfair for an opposition party like the PDP to endorse the presidential candidate of another party. Absolutely no. It will never be so,” Ememobong said.

The fresh reconciliation process is aimed at bringing aggrieved members back to the table and resolving the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.

Part of the ongoing discussions includes the possible withdrawal of court cases linked to the crisis, in line with guidance from the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, which advised parties to return to the status quo while resolving internal disputes.

“Yes, once agreeable terms are reached, all court cases, including those at the Supreme Court, will be withdrawn and converted into a consent judgement,” Ememobong said.

Some key figures in the party, including Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, are backing the push to lower tensions and create room for dialogue.

“At the expanded NEC meeting, both were present when a decision was taken to de-escalate tensions and create room for negotiations that would ensure the continued existence of the PDP.

“They remain on board, hopeful that the reconciliation and negotiations will succeed,” Ememobong said.

Beyond settling internal disagreements, the Turaki camp says the talks are also about protecting the PDP’s identity as an opposition force in Nigeria’s political system.

“In a pluralistic society like Nigeria, a one-party state, or a situation where other parties become appendages of the ruling party, is not healthy for democracy. The PDP, as the only surviving legacy party, must not go down that path,” Ememobong said.

He also stressed that the party’s constitution makes it clear that the PDP must field candidates for all elective positions, pushing back against suggestions that it might sit out the presidential race.

“Peace must be based on principles. It must not violate the party’s constitution, which mandates that the PDP shall field candidates for all elective offices,” he said.

Talks are continuing ahead of the planned convention, with both sides now speaking directly to each other, unlike previous efforts that relied on intermediaries, including the 2025 reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“What is different this time is that both parties are now engaging directly. There is no mediator. The principal actors are speaking to each other. If an agreement is reached, it will be their consensus. If not, it will also be clear. Yes, discussions have taken place, including with Governor Bala Mohammed,” Ememobong confirmed.

Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido remains on the opposing side, and his position is expected to be part of the negotiations.

“Former Governor Sule Lamido is on the other side of the divide, and his position will form part of the negotiations,” Ememobong said.

For now, both sides appear to be deliberately toning down tensions as they try to create space for meaningful talks.

“This begins with what we call negative peace, the cessation of hostilities. From there, we hope to achieve positive peace, cohesion, ideological alignment, and peaceful coexistence,” he said.