Following Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment, governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are moving to close ranks by exploring options to either constitute a harmonised Caretaker Committee or hold a unity convention aimed at preventing the party from collapsing.
PDP leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly on the issue, said that both camps are holding marathon meetings to finalise the modalities and conditions for reconciliation.
This comes as Acting Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, Acting National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Wike-backed caretaker committee, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki called on all stakeholders to set aside personal interests, foster unity, and collaborate to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governors had earlier endorsed the Ibadan Convention held on November 15, which elected Taminu Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year term.
They also oversaw the leadership transition from former Acting Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki, before the expiration of Damagum’s tenure on December 9.
In a counter-move, a faction loyal to the FCT minister constituted a 13-member Caretaker Committee on December 8, appointing Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Anyanwu as acting national secretary, among others, with a 60-day mandate.
Attempts by both the Wike-aligned group and the governors’ faction to hold meetings at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, on November 18, 2025, degenerated into physical confrontations. The Nigeria Police Force subsequently sealed the secretariat, which has remained closed since.
Both factions later sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, but the commission refused to acknowledge either group, leading to prolonged legal disputes.
On February 12, the Court of Appeal heard the consolidated cases on the PDP leadership crisis and delivered its judgments on Monday.
The appellate court, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which held that the processes leading to the PDP National Convention backed by the governors and held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, violated the Electoral Act, the Constitution of Nigeria, and the party’s constitution.
The court ruled that the convention that produced Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee was not conducted in compliance with the law, nullifying its outcome.
A source loyal to Wike’s camp revealed that since the Appeal Court ruling, leaders from both factions have been considering ways to safeguard the party and ensure it presents candidates for the 2027 elections.
He stated, “You see, since the Appeal Court judgment, what I am aware of is that our side here, if you listen to what His Excellency, the former Rivers State Governor, said, he called for peace and a truce. So, it is a signal that we are ready for reconciliation.
“The discussion is already ongoing. We are ready to reconcile and to move the party forward. It is in the interest of the party that we all work together.
‘’What we are still trying to sort out are the modalities. How do we go about it? Is it to organise a convention or to constitute a harmonised caretaker committee? All these are still part of what is on the table and under discussion. At the right time, Nigerians will be informed.
“For now, I assure you that the party and the leaders, from both camps, are already discussing reconciliation. If an agreement is reached, I am sure Nigerians will be informed. If not, then I am afraid it will affect many things and our members’ ambitions.”
An insider in the governors’ camp stated that they are ready for reconciliation, provided the PDP is allowed to function freely as an opposition party and present candidates for the 2027 elections.
He stated, “Reconciliation is vital for the party at this moment to preserve PDP. On our part, we are ready to reconcile with anyone willing to support the PDP in its efforts to thrive as a genuine opposition party. Our main concern, however, is that some people may not want the party to have a presidential candidate or candidates for key positions, which we see as a threat.
“Discussions among leaders are already ongoing, including in our recent meeting, on how to close the gaps among all stakeholders and PDP leaders. The focus is on putting the party back on track and determining the best approach to reconciliation.
“Whatever steps we take to achieve reconciliation will be guided by the PDP Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Nigerian Constitution. We will consider all options, whether through a convention or a caretaker committee, and Nigerians will be informed in due course.’’
The party chieftain adds, “Reconciliation will only succeed if it is widely embraced by party members and the PDP is allowed to function freely as an opposition party. The party must be allowed to field a presidential candidate and present candidates for the 2027 elections, and we must address the issue of party structure. Any arrangement that undermines this objective cannot be considered a meaningful reconciliation. Then, we will come up with our plan B.”
Hinting about the reconciliation moves, Anyanwu recalled that the FCT minister, in his reaction to Monday’s judgment, said that the judicial decision has paved the way for the upcoming national convention set for March 29 and 30, calling for unity of purpose.
Speaking while inspecting the venue of the convention at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja, Anyanwu reassured PDP aspirants that there is no cause for concern regarding their participation in the party’s electoral processes.
“I just want to use the opportunity to tell our party faithful, all those members who want to contest an election under the platform of the PDP, that they should not be afraid.
‘’Initially, they thought that we didn’t have candidates in the FCT. They were thinking about who was going to sign their forms. But the Appeal Court has affirmed this Caretaker Working Committee, and by the time we have our convention, we will have a full-fledged National Working Committee of the party.
“And of course, if you are going to run in an election under the PDP, rest assured you will not be disqualified. Rest assured that somebody is going to sign your forms. Do not worry about the excuses given by those who have defected, that they were worried about who would sign their forms.
‘’By April 1st, we would have gotten a full-fledged National Working Committee. We would have been sworn into office. Of course, they are going to do our primaries. People will participate. And I am sure that the PDP is going to win massively across the country.”
In his remarks, the Caretaker Chairman, Abdulrahman, urged party members to remain united, assuring them that the forthcoming convention would be transparent, credible, and acceptable to all stakeholders.
He stated, “And with the leadership of our leaders and the position of the National Caretaker Working Committee, we are willing to do everything possible to make sure that we have a smooth national convention that we have never, ever had before.
“Unity is important for the party at this stage. So, we call on all members of our party to come so that we can work together for the progress of the party and democracy in Nigeria. We are not claiming that the victory is for an individual or a certain group. It is a victory for all. And we should all put the Appeal Court judgment aside and come to work for the progress of the party.”
Earlier, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Abdulrahman stated that the caretaker committee remains the only recognised leadership of the PDP.
“I want to make it clear at this time that the National Caretaker Working Committee remains the only national leadership recognised by law and the party.
“The National Caretaker Working Committee is the only legitimate body that can present candidates in the build-up to the 2027 general elections. As such, I urge all stakeholders, party leaders, party members, and supporters to rally around the National Caretaker Working Committee as we prepare to approach activities towards the 2027 general elections.
“As we proceed with the preparations towards our national convention, we shall wait for the Certified True Copy of the judgment by the Court of Appeal to prepare ourselves for further defence of the party at the Supreme Court, if any. Most importantly, I want to call on all party stakeholders, leaders, and members to unite for the betterment of our great party. Enough of the litigation that will delay our activities towards the 2027 general elections and off-season elections.”
Additionally, former Senate President Saraki, in a statement through his media aide Yusuph Olaniyonu, on Tuesday, urged all PDP leaders and stakeholders to set aside their differences, respect the Court of Appeal ruling, and work towards conducting a new national convention in full compliance with INEC guidelines.
“My own position is that the Court of Appeal has ruled. However, with the revised timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is obvious that there is no time to wait for the Supreme Court decision. Otherwise, we would not meet the deadlines for completing the process of nominating candidates.
“Also, uncertainty will continue to hang over the validity of the tickets issued to those nominated on the PDP platform. If our motive is to see that we do not jeopardise the chances of our numerous members who want to contest elections on our platform, then this consideration should be the priority of all of us in the party.
“One of the key essentials of a political party is to provide a platform for candidates seeking to serve the people by contesting elections. We should not defeat this purpose. It is for these reasons that I believe the only option open to all of us is to end all litigation and work with the arrangements that are on the ground for holding a national convention within the INEC timetable.
“From the beginning, some of us have warned and advised about the dangers of travelling this route. We know that it will only imperil the party. However, since we have found ourselves here, our focus should be on how to get back on the path of full recovery, stability, and progress.’’
Speaking further, Saraki said, “I know that at this stage, egos have been bruised. However, the difference between an ordinary man and a statesman, between a person and a patriot, between a follower and a leader is the ability to rise above the din and ignore personal interests to serve the larger common interests and public good.
‘’Thus, some leaders of the party who did not get what they desired from the courts should now consider the bigger interest of the PDP in the 2027 elections and beyond. This is a more noble, dignified, and responsible position to adopt than to embark on a journey that leads to nowhere.”
He declared that his concern is how to save and preserve the party for the benefit of the numerous members who have hinged their aspirations on the PDP platform.
Saraki continued, “There are many Nigerians at the grassroots who have been investing their time and resources in mobilising support for the party because they want to contest elections on the PDP platform. These are members who want to contest elections into the Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and the Presidency.
“Feuding leaders should not allow their ego and personal differences to jeopardise, undermine, and defeat the aspirations of these honest, devoted and committed party members by depriving them of the opportunity to subject themselves to the verdict of the electorate. That is what these leaders will be doing if anybody continues with the litigation.
“The only viable option open to all of us is to sit down, discuss, and work towards holding an all-inclusive national convention at a time that will comply with INEC guidelines. What should be paramount to all of us is to adopt a give-and-take attitude that will ensure we accommodate all interests in the election of officers at the national convention. We should let the sleeping dog lie peacefully. There is really no time for continuous bickering and grandstanding.”
The PUNCH