The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embarking on a series of critical engagements this week, led by the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki. These meetings aim to address the party’s future direction and mitigate the impact of recent high-profile defections. Key stakeholders, including state chairmen, former governors, ex-ministers, current and former lawmakers, and other prominent figures, will participate in these crucial discussions.
Addressing Internal Rivalry and Stabilizing the Party
A key objective of these engagements is to stabilize the PDP amidst growing internal divisions. The NWC has scheduled meetings with party leaders from across the nation to foster unity and chart a clear path forward. Theophilous Shan, the National Organising Secretary, confirmed these plans in a statement, highlighting the NWC’s commitment to engaging with party leaders nationwide.
The Ibadan Convention and Leadership Disputes
The recent Ibadan convention, held on November 16, saw the emergence of Turaki and other NWC members, who were elected to serve a four-year term. However, the aftermath of the convention has been marred by disputes, with Nyesom Wike, along with Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, continuing to assert their claim to the positions of acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Despite efforts to facilitate a smooth transition from the former National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki, Wike’s faction proceeded to appoint a 60-day caretaker committee, further deepening the divisions within the party.
Meeting Schedule and Key Objectives
The Turaki-led NWC has a packed schedule of meetings planned for this week in Abuja:
State Chairmen, House of Representatives Members, and National Ex-Officio Members: A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10. During this meeting, the NWC will also present a Certificate of Return to Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, the party’s candidate for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
Former Governors, Ex-Ministers, and Past NWC Members: These stakeholders are slated to meet with the NWC on Tuesday, December 16.
Senators: A meeting with senators is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17.
These engagements are part of the NWC’s broader effort to rebuild the party following the contentious 2025 national convention in Ibadan. Turaki intends to use these meetings to reassure stakeholders, dissuade potential defectors, and outline his plans for repositioning the PDP.
Reassurance and Future Plans
“It is a series of meetings with leaders at all levels,” stated an NWC source. “We want to highlight the progress made so far, share our plans, and appeal to everyone to remain in the PDP. The leadership will also address actions taken against those undermining the party.”
Osun State Governorship Appeal Panel
In a separate development, the NWC has established the Osun State Governorship Appeal Panel to address grievances arising from the PDP primary elections ahead of the 2026 election. The panel, chaired by Turaki, is scheduled to convene on Thursday, December 11.
Dissenting Voices and Polarisation
Despite these efforts, not all members are aligned with the NWC’s plans. Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and Idu Igariwey, the South-East PDP caucus leader, have indicated that they will not be attending Wednesday’s meeting. Chinda, a known loyalist of Wike, stated that he did not receive an invitation. Igariwey echoed this sentiment, confirming that he had not yet been invited.
However, Fred Agbedi, the PDP caucus leader in the House, confirmed his attendance, stating that members had been informed of the meeting since the previous week. Mansur Soro, representing the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, also confirmed his participation, noting that the invitation was open to all members.
The PDP remains deeply divided, with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed leading one faction and Wike heading another. This division has intensified since the contested Ibadan convention, which, while supported by a court order from the Oyo State High Court, has faced legal challenges in the Federal High Court in Abuja due to alleged breaches of the PDP constitution.
The PDP national secretariat remains sealed by police to prevent potential unrest, reflecting the ongoing tensions within the party.
