In an attempt to end the conflict that has split the opposition party since November of last year, gladiators involved in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis have started new initiatives.
Both sides reopened communication on Tuesday night in an attempt to bring the party back together before its next national convention, according to party insiders.
The move coincides with mounting worries that the protracted struggle for leadership may make the party weaker in the run-up to upcoming elections.
According to investigations, new reconciliation negotiations have begun between the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) and the National Working Committee (NWC), which is chaired by Tanimu Turaki.
The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, supports the caretaker committee, while Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde favor the Turaki-led NWC.
Following the election of a new NWC under Turaki’s leadership at the PDP national conference in Ibadan in November, the situation worsened.
Wike’s supporters, however, disapproved of the result and set up a 13-person temporary committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed to run the party until another convention.
Judicial involvement further compounded the leadership dilemma.
The Ibadan convention was declared invalid on March 9 by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which also maintained the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had prohibited the PDP from carrying out the procedure.
In a similar vein, the Court of Appeal in Ibadan counseled parties to seek an amicable settlement when making a decision on another appeal pertaining to the caretaker committee.
Adolphus Wabara, the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, stated that party leaders were willing to settle the conflict outside of court after an extended discussion.
The caretaker committee insisted that plans for its proposed national convention, which is set for March 29 and 30, are still on schedule despite pleas for reconciliation.
The stance has led to ongoing disputes between the two groups, with each accusing the other of being to blame for the halted attempts at reconciliation.
Both sides have now resumed talks aimed at resolving the crisis, according to multiple PDP sources.
According to a source who spoke to Daily Sun, the parties decided to form a team that would handle any difficult problems without the need for middlemen.
The source claims that the decision to engage in direct negotiations was prompted by worries that the situation was getting worse rather than better, as some party leaders had previously anticipated.
According to a second party insider, Wike and Governor Bala Mohammed had direct communication prior to the latest peace effort, and both leaders were anticipated to meet to talk about potential solutions.
“Yes, it is true. Talking has begun between both groups. The source stated, “Bala has contacted the FCT minister, and they will meet today to discuss how to resolve the contentious issues.”
Turaki affirms that efforts for reconciliation have resumed
Turaki stated that new peace talks have started and urged supporters to refrain from taking any acts that would jeopardize the process during a press briefing on Tuesday.
“As of right now, leaders on both sides have broken the ice and are exploring different pathways towards a lasting resolution,” he declared.
He asked party members to refrain from making provocative remarks in order to facilitate the peace process.
Turaki claimed that in order to bring the party back together, his group was prepared to make compromises.
“We are optimistic and certain that we can continue to collaborate. There are moments in life when one must fight and times when one must make peace. “Why not accept peace and avoid war if there is a way to achieve peace without necessarily going to war?” he asked.
He went on to say that some party members were actively working against reconciliation, but he maintained that those factors had now been identified.
Turaki further said that, should a political agreement be struck, both sides were willing to drop all pending legal proceedings.
“As I speak, both parties have filed cases, including Court of Appeal appeals. According to him, “the best judges typically advise parties to explore out-of-court settlements whenever possible.”
