The factional National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ini Ememobong, has offered fresh insights into ongoing efforts to reconcile the rival factions within Nigeria’s main opposition party, expressing cautious optimism that a compromise can be reached despite significant internal disagreements.
The PDP has been grappling with deep divisions, particularly between a faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and another group associated with party figure Kabiru Turaki. The dispute centres largely on strategy for the next presidential election and the party’s stance towards the current administration.
The Wike-aligned faction has reportedly signalled that the PDP should not present a presidential candidate in the forthcoming election. Instead, the group is believed to favour supporting a second term bid for Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu. Political observers suggest the faction could insist that the Turaki-led bloc endorse Tinubu as part of any reconciliation agreement within the party.
However, the opposing faction maintains that the PDP must remain a competitive opposition party by fielding credible candidates in all elections, including the presidency.
Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Show on Arise News, Ememobong acknowledged the complexity of the situation but said discussions aimed at unity were ongoing.
“Truth is that both hope and delusion are human emotions, and at the end of the day it is the result that determines which was hope and which was delusion,” he said when asked whether reconciliation between the factions remained realistic.
Ememobong emphasised that the party leadership was listening closely to its grassroots supporters and stakeholders before making key decisions. According to him, party leaders act as “delegates of power” entrusted by members and supporters to represent their collective interests.
“At this point, the delegators of power have said, ‘can we at least get to the table?’,” he explained. “When parties come to the table, you come with your reducible minimums.”
He stressed that one of the central positions the party would take into negotiations was the need for the PDP to maintain its identity as a functioning opposition party.
“If there must be peace, one of the terms of the agreement we are going to take will be that we will field candidates at all levels,” Ememobong said. “And about presidential candidates, we will provide a viable candidate.”
While the path to reconciliation remains uncertain, Ememobong maintained that the party would enter negotiations with an open mind, adding that any agreement reached must preserve the PDP’s role as a credible alternative to the ruling government.
