The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially opened the door for dialogue with the rival camp backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The decision to pursue reconciliation was reached at the conclusion of a two-day expanded emergency meeting of the camp’s Board of Trustees (BoT), presided over by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara in Abuja on Wednesday.
The crisis boils down to a long-running leadership tussle that has split the party into two factions—one aligned with Governor Seyi Makinde and the other backing Minister Nyesom Wike.
Both sides lay claim to the party’s national structure. The Wike-backed group is headed by Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee.
Following deliberations, the BoT announced the constitution of a special reconciliation committee tasked with initiating engagement with legal teams and other critical stakeholders across both divides.
Reading the communiqué after the meeting, Wabara described the move as a necessary step to restore unity and reposition the PDP as a viable opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The BoT is disturbed by the avoidable internal leadership disputes and wranglings leading to damaging litigations with consequential detrimental effect on the unity and smooth running of the PDP as the major opposition party in the country,” Wabara said.
He noted that the board was taking advantage of the reconciliation window suggested by the Court of Appeal in a bid to restore cohesion within the party.
The move comes just days after the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified the party’s November 15, 2025 national convention, which had produced the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC). While the BoT expressed disagreement with the ruling, Wabara said the camp would await further legal advice before deciding on its next steps regarding the judgment—while simultaneously pursuing the peace process.
“As the conscience and third highest organ of the party, the BoT is resolved to take immediate steps to reconcile all stakeholders, end all disputes and restore the party to good political health, particularly to enable the PDP field candidates in the 2027 general elections,” he added.
According to Wabara, the BoT is mindful of the aspirations of party members preparing to contest for various positions in the next election cycle and believes that resolving the crisis quickly is critical to the party’s political future.
Wike Camp Holds Parallel NEC, Affirms Leadership, and Calls for Unity
As the Makinde faction was charting its reconciliation path, the Wike-backed National Executive Committee (NEC) was simultaneously holding its own 106th meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, where it passed a series of resolutions affirming its authority and also extending an olive branch.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting, the NEC, led by Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, commended the National Caretaker Working Committee for its commitment to stabilizing the party.
Crucially, the NEC welcomed recent judgments of the Court of Appeal, which it said were “affirming the leadership and authority of the National Caretaker Working Committee,” noting that the rulings have strengthened the constitutional processes and stability of the party.
Echoing the sentiment from the Makinde camp, the Wike-led NEC also “emphasized the urgent need for reconciliation, unity, and collective responsibility among all leaders and stakeholders of the Party.” It stressed that the strength of the PDP lies in its ability to resolve internal disagreements through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to Party structures.
In a direct appeal to the other side, the NEC called on all parties involved in disputes within the Party to embrace reconciliation and “refrain from pursuing further litigation, particularly any move to proceed to the Supreme Court, in the overriding interest of unity, stability, and the future of the Party.”
The NEC also approved a timetable for upcoming activities, including State Congresses scheduled for the coming weekend, Zonal Congresses in a fortnight, and a National Convention fixed for March 29th and 30th, where a new National Working Committee (NWC) is to be elected.
Parallel Paths to a Common Goal?
The overlapping calls for unity from both camps suggest a possible convergence, though significant hurdles remain. The Wike-led NEC’s firm stance on its legitimacy, backed by court rulings, and its approved timeline leading to a National Convention later this month, presents a structured process that the Makinde faction must now navigate.
The BoT faction under Wabara has yet to formally announce the members of its reconciliation committee, though it stated the process would be concluded within one week.
Oyo Congress Violence Condemned
Meanwhile, the Wike-led NEC took a strong stance on the violence that marred recent congresses in Oyo State, Governor Makinde’s political base. The NEC “strongly condemned the attack by hoodlums on members of the Party during the recently conducted Congresses in Oyo State,” describing the incident as unfortunate, unacceptable, and contrary to democratic values. It called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
2027 Preparations Underway
Both factions appear to be positioning for the 2027 elections. The Wike-led NEC formally noted INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 General Elections, approving a schedule that includes State Assembly Primaries on May 2, 2026, National Assembly Primaries on May 9, Gubernatorial Primaries on May 16, and Presidential Primaries on May 25, 2026.
As both factions weigh their next moves, the outcome of the parallel reconciliation initiatives is widely seen as a potential game-changer—or a final litmus test—for the opposition’s chances of presenting a united front in the next general elections.
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