Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party governors – Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) – met with the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson and former Kano State Governor and 2023 New Nigeria Peoples Party presidential aspirant, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as reconciliation efforts between the governors and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike’s bloc stalled.
On Sunday, Makinde and Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, Mohammed, held a closed-door meeting with Senator Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in Bauchi.
Makinde and Dickson later traveled to Kano, where they joined Kwankwaso, as well as 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Although the meeting was officially described as part of Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, credible sources close to Kwankwaso, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the matter, suggested that the discussions might be linked to preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the Wike-backed PDP National Caretaker Working Committee, Jungudo Mohammed, on Sunday, accused the governors-backed group led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) of plotting to undermine the party’s upcoming national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.
In response, Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-backed camp, dismissed the claims as blackmail, asserting that the group had consistently shown commitment to reconciliation within the party.
After nearly a year of internal turmoil, the PDP split into two rival factions. Defying the challenges, the governors’ faction conducted a convention on November 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Turaki and other officials were elected to the National Working Committee.
In response, Wike’s faction, in December, set up a 13-member National Caretaker Working Committee, appointing Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu as acting National Secretary, and other members to lead the party for 60 days pending a proper convention.
On February 12, the Court of Appeal heard consolidated cases arising from the leadership dispute and delivered its judgment on March 9.
A panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma upheld the earlier Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, stating that the processes that led to the Ibadan convention violated the Electoral Act, the Nigerian Constitution, and the PDP Constitution.
As a result, the court nullified the convention’s outcome, declaring the election of Turaki and other NWC members legally invalid.
Additionally, Justice Biobele Georgewill, heading a three-member Court of Appeal panel in Ibadan, Oyo State, allowed all parties involved in the PDP convention dispute the opportunity to seek an amicable resolution.
Over the past two weeks, both factions indicated a willingness to reconcile. However, recent statements from the governors and ongoing disagreements over the convention suggest that the peace talks may have hit a deadlock.
When asked by journalists if the PDP governors’ faction had conceded to Wike’s camp, Makinde stated that collaborating with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory amounted to siding with President Bola Tinubu against the interests of the PDP.
He said, “I came into the public domain to state that I was in a meeting with Wike and Mr President, and he promised to hold the PDP for Mr President in 2027. So, anyone dealing with Wike and his group in any guise means you have also agreed to support President Tinubu for 2027.
“We leave it for Nigerians to judge. If you can be in their camp where they have promised to support them, so be it.
“We are not begrudging them; you can support whoever you like. But go to them if you want to support them. That is our position. They have the government behind them, the judiciary behind them, and INEC behind them, but we have the people behind us.”
Responding, Mohammed emphasised the need for reconciliation within the party, noting that disagreements should not be allowed to fester.
He said reconciliation efforts were ongoing and being facilitated through appropriate conflict-resolution mechanisms.
Mohammed added, “That opinion by my brother is his opinion, but we believe there are no irreconcilable issues in Nigeria, especially within the political and national space.”
Few hours after their Bauchi meeting, Makinde and Dickson arrived in Kano for the 10th annual Dandalin Kwankwasiyya.
The event held on Sunday at the residence of the National Leader of the NNPP, Kwankwaso, on Miller Road in Kano.
The gathering attracted political stakeholders, party loyalists, and supporters from across the country.
The Dandalin Kwankwasiyya is a significant event for members of the movement, providing an opportunity for interaction, reflection, and celebration.
Organisers say the event also serves as a platform to strengthen political ties and mobilise support ahead of future engagements.
A source close to Kwankwaso revealed that beneath the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the visit involved high-level political consultations and discussions.
He stated, “You see, because of the Electoral Acts and the deadlines for movement of politicians, high-level consultation is still ongoing. Though this meeting is happening during the Eid-el-Fitr, of course, it’s also not just for the funfair. It’s part of the consultation ahead of the 2027 election.
“You can see that we have the people who are determined to contest. We have the PDP leaders there, you have Nigeria Democratic Congress National Leader, and then you have Peter Obi here with our leader, Kwankwaso.
“So, other matters pertaining to 2027, political alignment, and realignment among them will be discussed. And I am sure in the next few days, the direction they are heading will be clear to all Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, the Wike-backed PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed, stated while briefing reporters in Abuja on Sunday that the convention would go ahead as scheduled, emphasising that the judicial rulings were binding and fully in effect.
He stated, “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 Appeal Court 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 Governor-backed Turaki camp 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 weaponising 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.”
Ememobong, who claimed ignorance of any attempt to halt the Wike group’s convention, stated that they remained optimistic about reconciliation.
He added, “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.”
(Punch)
