Reconciliation efforts within the Peoples Democratic Party have come under fresh strain as the camp loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accused a governor-backed Tanimu Turaki (SAN) group of plotting to sabotage the party’s forthcoming national convention, slated for March 29–30, 2026.
Punch reports that the Wike-supported PDP National Caretaker Working Committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, stated while briefing reporters in Abuja on Sunday that the convention will go ahead as scheduled, emphasising that the judicial rulings are binding and fully in effect.
He said, “Let it be clearly stated that the position of the courts on the leadership of the PDP remains unequivocal. The judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal have affirmed the legitimacy and authority of the National Caretaker Working Committee as the body duly recognised to steer the affairs of the party at this time.
“These judicial pronouncements are binding and remain in full force. We, therefore, urge all members of our party and the general public to be guided accordingly and disregard any contrary claims or misleading narratives.
“It is, however, deeply concerning that certain individuals have continued to take steps aimed at undermining the stability and progress of our party. We are aware of moves by this group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, to approach courts in Ibadan in a bid to secure an injunction to halt the forthcoming national convention.
“This is particularly unfortunate given that the leadership of the party had, in good faith, extended several invitations and opportunities for reconciliation and dialogue. Regrettably, these overtures were ignored, as the said faction failed to present itself for meaningful engagement.”
Mohammed further stated that the PDP continues to uphold unity, internal democracy, and adherence to the rule of law.
He added, “However, we will not allow the collective interest of our party to be derailed by actions that are clearly at variance with these principles.
“In this regard, we respectfully call on the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the State Chief Judge to take judicial notice of these attempts to abuse court processes and to frustrate the legitimate activities of our party.
“We reaffirm our confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and trust that justice will continue to be served in accordance with the law.
“Furthermore, we wish to categorically assure all Nigerians, particularly our members across the country, that the national convention of our great party, scheduled for the 29th and 30th of March 2026, will proceed as planned. All necessary arrangements have been concluded, and the party is fully prepared to deliver a successful, transparent, and credible convention.”
When contacted, the governors-backed Turaki (SAN) camp’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, dismissed the Wike-aligned group’s claim as blackmail.
Ememobong, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, stated, “It is sad that people who we thought should behave like gentlemen are still living in the mud. The world would bear witness that from the day we took a decision for reconciliation, we backpedaled on everything.
“We have been in touch with them, and at first they said, ‘Oh, let’s wait for Ramadan to finish,’ and all of that. But they came up with something different.
“The only set of people who are weaponizing communication and still behaving as if reconciliation is not on the table are their people. What they are clearly doing is blackmail.
“If they know where the injunction is to be gotten from, they should ask themselves if they are doing the right and proper thing. It means that for them to know of a case that is yet to be instituted, it means they are the ones who are going to file the case.”
The governors-backed PDP Publicity Secretary, who claimed ignorance of any attempt to halt the Wike group’s convention, stated that they remain optimistic about reconciliation.
He continued, “So we are still hopeful that the reconciliation will work. We don’t know what they are talking about. They should, rather than spend time and energy inaugurating convention committees, make themselves available for discussion.”
Earlier, PDP governors endorsed the Ibadan convention held on November 15, which resulted in the election of Turaki (SAN) and other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year term.
They also oversaw the leadership handover from former Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired on December 9.
However, a faction aligned with Wike later set up a 13-member Caretaker Committee on December 8, appointing Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary, among others, with a 60-day mandate.
Both factions sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the commission refused to recognise either side, leading to protracted legal battles as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensified.
On February 12, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria heard consolidated cases arising from the PDP leadership crisis and delivered judgment on March 9.
A panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma upheld the earlier Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, stating that the processes leading to the Ibadan convention of November 15–16, supported by the governors, violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP Constitution. Consequently, the appellate court nullified the convention’s outcome, declaring the election of Turaki (SAN) and other NWC members legally invalid.
Additionally, Justice Biobele Georgewill, heading a three-member Court of Appeal panel in Ibadan, Oyo State, granted all parties involved in the PDP elective convention dispute the opportunity to pursue an amicable resolution.
