Two rival factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed readiness to reconcile following months of internal leadership disputes, although both sides continue to trade accusations over the origins of the crisis.
The factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, disclosed in separate interviews that they were open to dialogue aimed at resolving the party’s lingering conflict.
The latest development comes after the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan advised both factions to settle their differences amicably for the sake of the party’s stability.
The appellate court, presided over by Justice Biobele Georgewill, made the recommendation during the hearing of an appeal filed by one of the factions. The court subsequently adjourned the matter until 11 March.
The dispute stems from conflicting judgments issued by the Federal High Court in Ibadan and the Oyo State High Court concerning the legitimacy of the party’s convention held in Ibadan.
At the centre of the crisis is the leadership of the party’s National Working Committee. Both factions have laid claim to control of the party and are seeking recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Wike-backed faction, led by National Caretaker Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, secured a judgment from the Federal High Court on 25 November 2025 nullifying the outcome of the PDP convention held on 15 and 16 November 2025. That convention produced a National Working Committee headed by Tanimu Turaki.
However, in a separate ruling delivered on 25 February, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court held that the convention complied with the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, affirming Turaki as the duly elected National Chairman.
Following the conflicting decisions, both sides approached appellate courts in Abuja and Ibadan seeking to overturn the opposing rulings.
Speaking on the possibility of reconciliation, acting National Secretary of the caretaker committee, Samuel Anyanwu, said his faction was open to dialogue and that some party stakeholders were already attempting to mediate between the groups.
“For the benefit of doubt, nobody is against reconciliation. We are the ones who have been asking these people to come back so that we can rebuild our party,” he said.
However, Anyanwu accused members of the rival faction of prolonging the crisis for personal interests and alleged that Makinde was attempting to dominate the party’s structure.
He also dismissed claims that Wike was responsible for the internal divisions within the PDP.
On the other hand, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led faction, Ini Ememobong, confirmed that his group was equally willing to pursue reconciliation but insisted that any agreement must be based on principles that would strengthen the party.
Ememobong clarified that the Court of Appeal had not issued a final ruling but only encouraged both sides to explore an internal settlement.
“We are not averse to reconciliation, but it must be based on principle. We want reconciliation that will build the party, ensure its survival and position it to win elections,” he said.
