2027: Makinde, Wike camps break ice, move to save PDP,
—Those working against reconciliation identified, flushed out — Turaki
—Makinde, Bala, all stakeholders gave us mandate to reconcile — NWC member
By Clifford Ndujihe, Omeiza Ajayi & Luminous Jannamike
LAGOS — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday it has stepped back from the brink of a deep internal crisis, with camps loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, opening peace talks to steady the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
For months, tensions had been building, spilling into courtrooms, public exchanges and quiet power plays, raising real fears about the party’s unity and its readiness for the next election cycle.
Now, under mounting pressure, both sides appear to be recalibrating, choosing dialogue over a damaging standoff.
Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, factional PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, said the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, aligned with the Makinde camp, had taken the first steps to ease tensions and reopen communication, following intervention of the Board of Trustees, BoT, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara.
“In obedience to the advisory of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, the Board of Trustees constituted a high-powered committee to interface with our estranged party members,” Turaki said.
As an initial show of good faith, the NWC postponed key meetings of the National Executive Committee and National Caucus, and toned down its public messaging.
But the party said it did not get the same response in return, pointing instead to ‘weaponisation of hurtful rhetoric’ and ‘derogatory statements’.
Still, Turaki said a shift has now occurred.
“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,” he said.
He appealed directly to supporters nationwide to lower tension, warning that careless words or actions could undo the fragile progress.
Even with talks underway, the legal fight is far from over as cases remain active in several courts, including the Court of Appeal, a reminder of how deep the divisions run.
Still, the party signalled it is ready to abandon that route entirely if a political deal was reached.
“As soon as we reach agreeable terms, we will willingly withdraw all cases; whether at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, or elsewhere, to give peace a chance,” he said.
Turaki also moved to reassure anxious aspirants, many of whom have been watching the crisis unfold with growing concern.
“To all aspirants who have stood with us thus far, we assure you that our party will field candidates for all elective offices,” he said.
Turaki made it clear that compromise will be unavoidable, and that the party is prepared to go the distance to hold itself together.
“We are willing to bend as far as our necks and backs allow… PDP will not die,” he said.
He also hinted at internal resistance to the peace process, suggesting that some individuals had been working against reconciliation from within, but said those issues are now being confronted.
“From last night, these two elements have been identified and flushed out,” he said.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the PDP used the moment to restate its place in Nigeria’s political landscape, positioning itself as a central opposition force with a duty to hold government accountable.
“As Nigeria’s only surviving legacy party, we remain committed to defending and consolidating our democracy,” Turaki said.
He also sent a broader message to those in power, stressing that leadership must reflect the will of the people.
“Ultimate power resides with the people; it must therefore remain the centrepiece of governance,” he said.
In a show of internal alignment, the Turaki-led NWC passed a vote of confidence on Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, praising their roles during the crisis.
Convention won’t affect reconciliation in PDP— Wike
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims of deep-seated factionalism within the PDP, asserting that the party remains a single entity despite the grievances of certain individuals.
Speaking after an extensive inspection of ongoing projects across the territory, yesterday, Wike downplayed the notion of “camps” within the party, ahead of its upcoming convention.
Responding to inquiries about reconciliation efforts with opposing groups, the minister maintained that while individual disagreements are natural in politics, they do not equate to a split in the party’s structure.
“I don’t know which camp you are talking about now. There is only one PDP. So it would be wrong for me to say the other camp. I don’t know whether any other camp exists,” Wike stated.
He acknowledged that while some members have reached out to bridge gaps, these are personal reconciliations rather than formal factional negotiations.
“Naturally, there are some individuals that may not be happy. If you say so, okay yes, some individuals may not be happy and have called to say ‘let bygones be bygones,’ but not a faction. There is only one PDP now,” he added.
Addressing the timing of the party’s internal activities, Wike noted that the upcoming convention slated for this weekend will proceed as planned, regardless of ongoing talks, citing the strict timelines set by the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for commencement of primaries.
Wike and Makinde emerged as arrowheads of PDP crisis and had been engaged in acerbic war of words. On Tuesday, Makinde said he and his members will not leave the PDP, adding that the war to ensure the party’s survival and the battle to ensure it fields candidates for the 2027 polls will be won.
Efforts to get Makinde’s comment on the new reconciliation moves were yet to yield dividends at press time.
However, a top member of the Turaki-led NWC loyal to Makinde, said all critical stakeholders had bought into the reconciliatory efforts.
He told Vanguard: We don’t want the PDP to die. We want the PDP to field candidates in the 2027 elections. That is why we are bending backwards to ensure reconciliation.”
Asked if Makinde and Bala Mohammed endorsed the reconciliation moves, he said: “For sure. All of them are on board, they gave us a mandate to reconcile. All stakeholders are part of it.”
With both camps now talking and signalling reconciliation and compromise, the focus shifts to what comes next: whether this fragile opening leads to a lasting truce, or whether the cracks widen again as the road to 2027 narrows.
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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday it has stepped back from the brink of a deep internal crisis, with camps loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike…
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