(DDM) – Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Senate President Bukola Saraki are set to lead reconciliation efforts between the two contending factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following years of internal strife that have threatened the party’s cohesion ahead of key elections.
Sources reveal that preliminary informal discussions have begun between the camps aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led leadership and those loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Formal reconciliation talks are expected to commence after the upcoming Sallah festivities.
The PDP’s crisis traces back to the controversial National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025. That convention, endorsed by PDP governors including Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyi Makinde of Oyo, elected Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman and installed a new National Working Committee (NWC).
The handover from acting National Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki occurred before Damagum’s term expired on December 9, 2025. However, the convention also saw the expulsion of Nyesom Wike and his allies, prompting the Wike camp to establish a rival National Caretaker Committee headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The dispute escalated when the Court of Appeal nullified the Ibadan convention, affirming a Federal High Court ruling that the event violated the PDP constitution and electoral laws. Consequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could not recognize the Turaki-led NWC.
In the aftermath, both factions have turned toward reconciliation under the oversight of the PDP Board of Trustees, chaired by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara. The Turaki-aligned group has formed a seven-member committee led by Governor Bala Mohammed, while the Wike faction has designated Saraki to represent their interests.
According to sources, the Turaki-aligned committee is compiling its demands ahead of engagement with the Wike faction. Post-Sallah, the two groups will meet to harmonize their positions. Any agreement reached is expected to be submitted to the Appeal Court in Ibadan for ratification, ensuring that it is binding on all PDP members.
“The reconciliation committee was initially scheduled to meet, but that has been deferred,” a source said. “Currently, the seven-man committee set up by the PDP governors, under Governor Bala Mohammed, is compiling their demands. The Wike faction will do the same. Post-Sallah, the two sides will meet to align their positions.”
The party’s prolonged leadership tussle has caused defections, weakened its opposition stance, and raised urgent calls from stakeholders for unity. Analysts warn that resolving these internal divisions is crucial for the PDP to remain competitive in upcoming elections and to restore confidence among its grassroots supporters.
Observers also note that the involvement of high-profile leaders like Bala Mohammed and Saraki signals a serious attempt to broker lasting peace, with the potential to reshape the party’s internal dynamics and avert further fragmentation.
