Wike and Governors’ Camps Set Date for Talks to Resolve PDP Crisis

The reconciliation committee representing Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the camp of Peoples Democratic Party governors is scheduled to meet on Monday to align positions and resolve ongoing disputes within the party. A senior PDP official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the planned meeting. Members of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee and National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong also verified that the joint panel would convene to address outstanding issues. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the Wike-backed Caretaker Committee, expressed optimism that the party would overcome its internal divisions.

The crisis traces back to the November 15, 2025, Ibadan convention, supported by PDP governors, which elected Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for a four-year tenure. Leadership transitioned from former Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki on December 9. The Wike-aligned faction, however, formed a 13-member Caretaker Committee on December 8, appointing Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary with a 60-day mandate. Attempts by both factions to hold separate meetings at the PDP National Secretariat on November 18, 2025, ended in clashes, prompting police to close the venue. Subsequent recognition requests to the Independent National Electoral Commission were rejected, leading to a series of legal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections. On March 9, the Court of Appeal upheld a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the Ibadan convention, declaring the election of Turaki and other NWC members invalid. The court also permitted the parties to pursue an out-of-court settlement, paving the way for current reconciliation efforts.

Both camps, along with the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees, have expressed readiness to reconcile. Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, initially opposed, is reportedly supportive. A source disclosed that committee members from each side held a preliminary meeting on Friday to identify key issues. Representatives are now expected to return to their respective factions to harmonize concerns ahead of Monday’s broader committee session. No final decision has been made on whether the resolution will involve a national convention or an interim caretaker committee.

Fasiu Bakene, a Board of Trustees member from the Turaki faction, said the reconciliation is driven by court rulings that left the party without recognized national leadership. He emphasized that party survival ahead of the 2027 elections is the priority. Ini Ememobong noted the importance of maintaining the status quo during reconciliation to avoid undermining the process and warned that recent attempts by Wike’s faction to dissolve State Executive Committees in Ogun, Ekiti, and Ondo could complicate talks. From Wike’s camp, Anyanwu reaffirmed the commitment to a national convention scheduled for March 29–30, stressing that reconciliation should not delay the event. Osun State PDP chairman Sunday Bisi added that activities leading to the convention are already underway and the camp remains open to dialogue if the opposing group is genuinely interested.

Abubakar Issa, North Central Zonal Legal Adviser of the PDP, criticized moves to reconcile with Wike’s camp, citing his support for President Bola Tinubu during the last election as a betrayal of party principles. He warned that any settlement without addressing this issue could compromise party discipline and credibility. The Monday meeting is seen as a key step in resolving the leadership dispute and setting the stage for party cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.