Ruling Sparks Reconciliation Efforts as Senior PDP Members Seek to Mend Fences Between Warring Factions

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–How Wabara-led BoT plans peace

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–Enough of litigation, Wike-backed PDP declares lReconciliation yes; APC appendage no — Turaki-led

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By Omeiza Ajayi, Adeola Badru & Luminous Jannamike

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ABUJA —STAKEHOLDERS and elders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were, last night, ready to pursue reconciliation as advised by the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division.

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The court, yesterday, urged warring factions within the PDP to explore reconciliation over the dispute surrounding the party’s elective convention, warning that prolonged litigation could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections.

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The appellate court subsequently granted the parties leave to pursue an out-of-court settlement and adjourned the matter indefinitely.

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The development came as elders of the party, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, initiated fresh moves to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders and stabilise the opposition party ahead of the next election cycle.

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The intervention by the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, follows months of internal disputes and court cases that have unsettled the PDP’s leadership structure.

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Elders seek to mend rift

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The BoT disclosed its reconciliation plan in a communiqué issued after an expanded emergency meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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Reading the communiqué, BoT Chairman, Senator Wabara, said the board had resolved to explore the reconciliation option suggested by the Court of Appeal.

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“The Board, however, acknowledged and resolved to explore the opportunity for reconciliation within the party as provided by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division,” the communiqué stated.

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According to the BoT, the meeting was convened to review developments surrounding the leadership crisis and chart a path toward restoring unity within the party.

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“The BoT is disturbed by the avoidable internal leadership disputes and wranglings leading to damaging litigations with consequential damaging effect on the unity and smooth running of the PDP as the major opposition party in the country,” the statement said.

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How Wabara-led BoT plans peace

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As part of efforts to resolve the crisis, the BoT said it would immediately constitute a special committee to engage party leaders, legal teams and other stakeholders.

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Wabara said the move was aimed at restoring unity and enabling the PDP to effectively participate in the 2027 elections.

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“Conscious of the onus on the BoT as the conscience and third highest leadership organ of the party, the board is resolved to take immediate steps to reconcile all stakeholders, put an end to disputes and restore the party to good political health,” he said.

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The board also noted what it described as growing interest in the party despite the ongoing crisis.

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“Reports from the field indicate daily registration of members in their millions. The unprecedented surge to our party despite the challenges underscores the standing of the PDP as the party of choice for many Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the communiqué said.

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In another decision, the BoT approved the appointment of former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu as Secretary of the Board in line with Section 32 of the party’s constitution.

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Enough of litigations, Wike-backed PDP declares

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Also, a faction of the party aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, called for an end to what it described as excessive litigation within the PDP.

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Speaking during the 86th meeting of the Senator Mao Ohuabunwa-led Board of Trustees, Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, urged party leaders to embrace reconciliation.

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“The court has spoken once again that the rule of law must prevail in our party’s internal affairs. I want to call on all party stakeholders and leaders to unite ourselves for the betterment of our party,” he said. “Enough of litigations that will delay our activities towards the 2027 general election,” Mohammed said.

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Reconciliation yes; APC appendage no — Turaki-led NWC

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However, The Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, said it is open to reconciliation in the party’s leadership dispute but warns the process must not turn the opposition into an appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

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“The Peoples Democratic Party, as an opposition party, must offer vibrant opposition and must not become an appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress,” the NWC said.

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Ini Ememobong, spokesman for the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the party’s NWC, stated the position during an exclusive interview with Vanguard while reacting to the court’s advice and a communiqué issued after a meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees calling on feuding stakeholders to pursue reconciliation. But the faction says reconciliation must come with clear conditions.

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“In deference to the advice of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, and the communiqué issued after the meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees urging all sides to pursue reconciliation, we are bound to respect both advisories,” Ememobong said.

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“However, we have made it clear; and we maintain, that any reconciliation must be based on principles and aimed at strengthening the party, not weakening it,” he said. The faction maintains that while reconciliation may help calm tensions within the PDP, it must ultimately preserve the party’s independence and its role as a credible alternative to the ruling APC.

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Court urges settlement

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Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan granted all parties involved in the dispute over the PDP elective convention leave to explore a settlement.

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The three-member panel, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, advised the parties to resolve the dispute amicably in view of the timetable for the 2027 general elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

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The court also adjourned the matter sine die to allow the parties time to negotiate.

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Justice Georgewill urged counsel representing the various parties to guide their clients toward a peaceful resolution.

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“All the parties involved should be mindful of the election timetable as released by INEC,” he said.

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He added that the court should be informed in writing of the outcome of any settlement discussions.

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Counsel back reconciliation move

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Lawyers representing the parties welcomed the court’s decision.

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Speaking on behalf of other counsel, Sunday Ibrahim, SAN, confirmed that the parties had agreed to pursue reconciliation.

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“On that note, we make no further comment because same may prejudice the envisioned settlement,” he said.

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Another counsel, Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN, also confirmed that all pending motions relating to the PDP convention dispute had been adjourned indefinitely.

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The dispute followed conflicting court decisions on the legality of the party’s convention held in Ibadan.

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Pro-Wike PDP fixes presidential primaryfor May 23

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Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee NEC of the party yesterday released its 2027 election timetable, fixing its presidential primaries for May 23, 2026.

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The decision was reached during the party’s 106th NEC meeting held in Abuja, where the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike-aligned leadership reinforced its grip on the party’s internal structures.

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In a communique signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, the NEC laid out an ambitious roadmap leading up to the 2027 general elections.

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The approved PDP primary timetable is as follows: Submission of register: April 10, 2026; State Assembly primaries May 2, 2026; National Assembly primaries May 9, 2026; gubernatorial primaries: May 16, 2026; and presidential primaries May 23, 2026.

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Indeed, Wike said yesterday that his camp was in charge, would not shift its national convention . and would negotiate from position of strength.

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