…Turaki plans to use the PDP meetings to reassure stakeholders, discourage defections, and reposition the party.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains polarised as the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the Nyesom Wike faction continue to assert leadership claims.
Despite a handover from former National Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki ahead of Damagum’s tenure expiration on December 9, Wike, alongside Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has insisted they remain acting National Chairman and Secretary. The faction also announced a 60-day caretaker committee on Sunday.
Amid the leadership tussle, the Turaki-led NWC will meet in Abuja this week with state chairmen, lawmakers, ex-governors, ex-ministers, and past NWC members. According to National Organising Secretary Theophilus Shan, meetings with state chairmen, House members, and national ex-officio members will hold Wednesday, December 10, while sessions with former governors, ex-ministers, and past NWC members are scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, and senators on Wednesday, December 17.
The NWC will also present a Certificate of Return to PDP’s candidate for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti governorship election, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, and has set up an Osun State Governorship Appeal Panel, chaired by Turaki, to review primary election grievances on Thursday, December 11.
A source said Turaki plans to use the PDP meetings to reassure stakeholders, discourage defections, and reposition the party.
Some leaders, including House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and South-East PDP caucus leader Idu Igariwey, indicated they would not attend the December 10 meeting, citing lack of invitation. Meanwhile, House PDP caucus leader Fred Agbedi and lawmaker Mansur Soro confirmed participation.
The party remains divided, with Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed leading one bloc and Wike the other. The dispute, stemming from the controversial Ibadan convention, has seen the national secretariat sealed by police to maintain order.
As of press time, key NWC officials were unavailable for comment.
