PDP Leadership Crisis: Reconciliation yes; APC appendage no — Turaki-led NWC

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it is open to reconciliation in the party’s leadership dispute but warns the process must not turn the opposition into an appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The position follows advice by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Ibadan Division, which urged parties involved in the dispute to explore reconciliation in view of the tightened timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The Peoples Democratic Party, as an opposition party, must offer vibrant opposition and must not become an appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress,” the NWC said.

Ini Ememobong, spokesman for the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the party’s NWC, stated the position during an exclusive interview with Vanguard while reacting to the court’s advice and a communiqué issued after a meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees calling on feuding stakeholders to pursue reconciliation.

The development has raised fresh concerns about the stability of the PDP as it prepares for the political contest leading to the 2027 general elections.

But the faction says reconciliation must come with clear conditions.

“In deference to the advice of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, and the communiqué issued after the meeting of the party’s Board of Trustees urging all sides to pursue reconciliation, we are bound to respect both advisories,” Ememobong said.

He stressed, however, that reconciliation should strengthen the party rather than weaken it or blur its role as the country’s main opposition.

“However, we have made it clear; and we maintain, that any reconciliation must be based on principles and aimed at strengthening the party, not weakening it,” he said.

The faction maintains that while reconciliation may help calm tensions within the PDP, it must ultimately preserve the party’s independence and its role as a credible alternative to the ruling APC.

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