Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria — Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one of Nigeria’s major opposition political parties, have begun efforts to restore unity following a significant ruling by the Court of Appeal that intensified an internal leadership dispute within the party.
The reconciliation effort involves allies of Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State in southern Nigeria, and several state governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Their talks began after the appellate court delivered a judgment on Monday, March 9, 2026, that nullified a controversial party convention held months earlier.
Okay News reports that both camps are considering options such as creating a harmonised caretaker committee or organising a new national convention to stabilise the party ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The leadership conflict dates back to a national convention organised by PDP governors on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria. At that gathering, former Nigerian minister Taminu Turaki and other officials were elected to the party’s National Working Committee for a four year term.
The convention also supervised the transition from the party’s former Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki.
However, tensions escalated when a rival faction loyal to Wike rejected the outcome of the convention and established a 13 member caretaker committee on Sunday, December 8, 2025. The committee appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as acting national secretary with a mandate of 60 days.
The dispute intensified further on Monday, November 18, 2025, when members of both factions attempted to hold separate meetings at the PDP National Secretariat, known as Wadata Plaza, located in Abuja. The situation reportedly turned confrontational, prompting the Nigeria Police Force, the national law enforcement agency of Nigeria, to seal the building. The secretariat has remained closed since that incident.
In the weeks that followed, both factions approached the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral management body responsible for organising elections and regulating political parties, seeking recognition as the legitimate leadership of the party. The commission declined to recognise either group, which led to several legal disputes.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2026, the Court of Appeal heard consolidated cases relating to the PDP leadership crisis. The appellate court panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma later affirmed an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ruling determined that the processes leading to the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and Sunday, November 16, 2025 violated Nigeria’s Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the internal constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party.
As a result, the court nullified the convention that produced Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee.
Following the ruling, political leaders within the party began exploring reconciliation options. A source from the camp loyal to Wike said the judgment had created an opportunity for peace talks.
“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.”
Another insider from the camp aligned with PDP governors said reconciliation discussions were also underway but emphasised the importance of maintaining the party’s strength as an opposition platform.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is serving as acting national secretary of the caretaker committee, said preparations are ongoing for a new national convention scheduled for Saturday, March 29, 2026, and Sunday, March 30, 2026.
Speaking while inspecting the venue at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Velodrome in Abuja, Anyanwu reassured party members who plan to contest elections that they will be able to run under the PDP platform.
“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.”
Former President of the Senate of Nigeria, Bukola Saraki, also appealed to party leaders to set aside personal disputes and focus on rebuilding the party before the next election cycle.
“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.”
Saraki warned that prolonged legal battles could damage the political ambitions of many party members who are preparing to contest elections in 2027.
“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.”
Party leaders say consultations are expected to continue in the coming days as stakeholders attempt to reach a compromise that would restore stability to the PDP and prepare the opposition party for future elections.
