Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi and former Information Minister Jerry Gana are among influential members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) currently locked in extensive meetings and consultations with other stakeholders to reconcile the party’s two factions ahead of next year’s elections.
Their immediate task is to build a consensus before the March 29-30 PDP national convention in Abuja, The Nation gathered yesterday.
The reconciliatory talks were made possible by the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal which annulled the November 2025 convention in Ibadan that produced the Tanimu Turaki-led national working committee.
The court’s decision effectively handed over the party to the Abdul Raman Muhammad-led faction which is supported by Federal Capital Territory Minister (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The two sides commenced exploratory talks last week, following which the National Convention Committee was constituted with ambassador designate to Spain Okezie Ikpeazu as chairman.
The immediate past governor of Abia state is a strong ally of Wike.
The Ikpeazu committee was inaugurated last night.
Reconciliation not an option, says Ikpeazu
Speaking at the inauguration of his committee in Abuja last night, Ikpeazu said reconciliation in PDP is not an option.
But he said the process must be rooted in truth, driven by sincerity, and sustained by mutual respect.
He said the party must go beyond rhetoric, symbolic gestures and political convenience.
He pledged his determination to help steer the great party through its present state.
“This convention is more than a gathering, it is a reckoning. A moment of truth. A test of whether the Peoples Democratic Party can rise above its recent trials and reclaim its rightful place as the oldest, and nationally entrenched political party in Nigeria,” he said.
He added:“Let us not pretend about the road that brought us here. We have passed through a difficult phase, one marked by internal disagreements, institutional strain, and a protracted legal battle that travelled from the Federal High Courts to the Court of Appeal. That period tested not only our structures but our very faith in the ideals that bind us together.
“But today, we stand on the other side of that storm. The Court of Appeal’s affirmation of the National Caretaker Working Committee is not merely a legal victory, it is a moral and political reset. It offers us a rare opportunity to rebuild, to restore confidence, and to reaffirm the supremacy of due process and internal democracy within our party.
‘History has handed us a second chance. We must not squander it.”
He commended the national leader of the party for ensuring that the PDP did not fracture under pressure.
Former National Organising Secretary of the party, Umar Bature said the party faced serious challenges in the last two and half years, adding that with the caliber of people in the planning committee, the party was ready for a rebirth.
He said “what is important today is the value you give to the party, and that value is the commitment that I have seen in a lot of people who are here today, and that commitment should continue to transcend in the next seven, eight days that we have for the national convention.
In his vote of thanks, PDP Acting National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said the convention would produce leaders who are widely accepted and capable of ensuring the party fields strong candidates for the next election.
The PDP has also begun a fresh digitalized members registration to replace the one started by the Turaki group.
Party sources said the reconciliatory talks were progressing well with each side bringing to the table its terms and conditions for resolution.
A source cited the inclusion of members of the two groups in the various committees set up for the national convention.
These include former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba who has been named a member of the Media and Publicity Committee headed by the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon Jungudo Mohammed.
To serve as secretary of the Ikpeazu-led Convention Organizing Committee is Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, a close political associate of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.
Other members of the convention committee include PDP NCWC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Muhammed Sani Abacha, Hon Teejay Yusuf, Senator Garba Lado, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, Senator Abdul Ningi, Hon Chibudom Nwuche, Captain Umar Bature (rtd), and Alhaji Ali Abdulmajid, a retired police DIG.
Also on the committee are former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, former Gombe State governor Hassan Dankwambo, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda.
A well placed party source said almost all members are now determined to put the past behind them and work for the rejuvenation of the party.
The Nation also gathered that the committee set up by the party to recommend zoning of party offices and presidential ticket will meet today in Abuja.
National Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Jagunda Haruna Mohammed said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been notified about the forthcoming national convention.
He said the ongoing reconciliatory talks would not in any way hinder the convention.
“Reconciliation is an ongoing thing, and it cannot in any way prevent the caretaker committee from carrying out the convention,” he said.
He added: “if you recall, we had initially informed the representative of the Turaki group who attended our last NEC meeting that whatever their written proposals may be, two things remain sacrosanct: the existence of this caretaker committee and the conduct of this National Convention.
“So, irrespective of whatever reconciliation that is likely to happen, it will not affect the conduct and processes leading to this convention. We are open. We are still open for reconciliation.
“The Independent Electoral Commission was notified about the PDP National Convention long ago; and in line with the notice, they have already supervised and monitored our ward, local government, and state congresses. The National Convention will not be an exception.
“We have concluded all state congresses in line with the judgment of Justice Omotosho. But before we can proceed with any convention, we have to conclude all congresses. That is how it has been done. We have just finished with that of Plateau and then the zonal congresses for the South East and North West.”
The zoning committee is expected to present its report to an emergency NEC meeting scheduled for tomorrow at the FCT Minister’s Lodge, Life Camp, Abuja.
However, a highly placed source in the Turaki camp told The Nation that the Sallah break has slowed down the reconciliation process.
He was optimistic that whatever ground that has been lost would be regained.
“By next week (this week), there will be a report on how we are going forward. It will either be a positive way forward or the resumption of hostilities. Either way, things will be clearer by next week (this week),” the source said.
Speaking to supporters after the Eid-el-Fitr prayers,Alhaji Tanimu Turaki said the PDP would rise above its current challenges.
He said reconciliatory talks were progressing well.
He spoke of the need by party members to embrace peace and remain vigilant in safeguarding the nation’s democracy as the country approaches a critical political transition.
Turaki said the citizens must play an active role in ensuring that democratic ideals are protected and sustained.
He said the period ahead requires heightened civic responsibility and collective commitment to national stability, insisting that “as a nation, we must remain steadfast in our pursuit of peace and justice. Democracy can only thrive where there is vigilance, participation, and respect for the rule of law.”
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