Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that the party has “broken the ice” with estranged members and is now actively exploring pathways toward a lasting resolution of its lingering leadership crisis.
Turaki made this known on Wednesday, during a press briefing in Abuja titled “Hope Is Not Lost,” which detailed the party’s reconciliation initiative following recent internal strife.
The briefing comes weeks after the Court of Appeal in Ibadan advised all parties involved in the party’s legal battles to explore reconciliation, warning that further strife could jeopardize the party’s ability to field candidates in upcoming elections.
In response, Turaki revealed that the party’s Board of Trustees, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, GCON, constituted a high-powered committee to interface with estranged members.
He added that the National Working Committee (NWC) demonstrated good faith by immediately postponing scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Caucus meetings and de-escalating combative communications.
However, the Chairman lamented that the expected reciprocal gesture was not initially forthcoming, noting that his faction had instead witnessed “the weaponisation of hurtful rhetoric and the issuance of derogatory statements.”
“I can unequivocally confirm that, as of today, leaders on both sides have broken the ice and are exploring various pathways towards a lasting resolution,” Turaki stated. “We urge our supporters across the board to immediately de-escalate high-tempered communications and actions, so as not to jeopardise the ongoing peace efforts.”
Despite the recent turbulence, the National Chairman moved to reassure party faithful and the wider Nigerian public that the PDP remains a viable and active political platform. He emphasized that the party is committed to complying with Article 6(2) of its constitution (as amended in 2017), guaranteeing that it will field candidates for all elective offices in the forthcoming elections.
“We also sincerely appreciate Nigerians across the country who have continued to show interest in our party and have registered via our e-registration platform, http://www.iampdp.org,” Turaki said. “Despite recent challenges, the faith of our core supporters remains unshaken. It is for them that we are making every effort to resolve the issues before us.”
Reaffirming the party’s role in Nigeria’s democratic landscape, Turaki described the PDP as “Nigeria’s only surviving legacy party in the current republic,” boasting 16 years of experience in governance. He called on those in authority to remember that they are delegates of the people, insisting that “ultimate power resides with the people; it must therefore remain the centrepiece of governance.”
In a significant show of internal unity, the NWC also passed a unanimous vote of confidence in two of its governors—Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde—commending their resilience and steadfast leadership during the recent challenges.
Concluding his address, Turaki reassured Nigerians that the PDP is not only alive but ready to offer a credible platform for robust political contests at all levels.
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