Olushola Omogbehin
Leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have initiated moves to end the controversy that turned the once largest party in Africa to an opposition party.
The development emerged amid growing concerns that the protracted leadership battle could weaken the party ahead of future elections.
The group headed by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and supported by the party governors said on Wednesday that a fresh reconciliation process with the objective of uniting the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) have started.
The party revealed that both camps reopened dialogue on Tuesday night in a renewed effort to restore unity ahead of the party’s planned national convention.
Disclosing this while addressing newsmen in Abuja, Turaki explained that the reconciliation, which started on Tuesday night, is yielding some results.
“In obedience to the advisory of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, a few weeks ago, that parties in the suit should explore reconciliation to save the party from further strife and provide a platform for aspirants to seek elective offices in the coming elections, the Board of Trustees of the party, ably led by His Excellency, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, constituted a high-powered committee to interface with our estranged party members, with a view to resolving outstanding issues and repositioning the party for the elections.
“I can unequivocally confirm that, as of today, leaders on both sides have broken the ice and are exploring various pathways towards a lasting resolution. We urge our supporters across the board to immediately de-escalate high-tempered communications and actions, so as not to jeopardise the ongoing peace efforts.
“To all aspirants who have stood with us thus far, we assure you that, by the grace of God, our party will field candidates for all elective offices, in compliance with Article 6(2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“As we are aware, democracy is not merely about the periodic conduct of elections; it also requires a virile opposition and an active civil society to hold government accountable. As Nigeria’s only surviving legacy party in the current republic, with the rare privilege of having led this country for 16 years, we remain committed to defending and consolidating our democracy.
“We have confidence that we can still work together and that this reconciliation will work. In life, there are times to fight, and there are also times to make peace. But even when you choose to fight and go to war and win the war, you also need to win the peace. So, if you have a pathway to winning the peace without necessarily going to war, why not take peace and forego the war?
“I am not saying there are no good elements on both sides whose sole intention is to prevent peace in this country. I am saying some people are fighting so that this party will go down. From last night, these two elements have been identified and flushed out in the discussions between the two sides.”
Speaking on the party’s court cases, he said, “Matters in court continue. Even on the issue of compromise, we are willing to bend as far as our necks and backs allow. We are ready to make all sorts of sacrifices in the overall interest of the party. PDP will not die. Everything possible will be done to make this reconciliation work; nothing is impossible.”
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, waved aside reports of division within the PDP.
On the speculation about internal divisions, Wike said that disagreements among members do not amount to factionalisation.
“We have only one PDP, no faction, I don’t know which camp you are talking about. There is only one PDP. Some individuals may not be happy, yes, but there is no faction.
“That there is a convention does not mean there will be no reconciliation. Everything has its own time,” he said.
Earlier, the Ibadan convention which took place on November 15 and produced Kabiru Turaki with other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year tenure was supported by governors of the PDP.
Punch reports that a group loyal to Wike later formed a 13-member Caretaker Committee and appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary, among others, with a 60-day mandate pending a substantive convention.
The effort of these parties to hold meetings at the PDP National Secretariat on November 18 led to crisis that led the Police Force to seal the secretariat.
