The Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has convened its first strategic meeting with state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party as part of ongoing efforts to calm tensions and rebuild unity within the party.
The meeting, held on Wednesday at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, marked the first formal engagement between the new NWC and the State Chairmen Forum since the Ibadan Convention.
Led by Edo State PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, at least twenty-nine state chairmen were present, each introducing themselves before the session moved into detailed deliberations. The meeting is the first in a long series planned by Turaki, who is seeking consolidation and alignment following his emergence as National Chairman at the Ibadan Convention.
In his opening remarks, Turaki called on the state chairmen to bring forward new and constructive ideas that will reposition the party for national success. He dismissed the parallel actions taken by party members aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, who recently inaugurated a separate caretaker committee claiming authority over the party’s structure.
Turaki encouraged the chairmen to prepare for the significant work ahead, stressing that the PDP, under his leadership, is committed to effective rebuilding and renewed internal order. After the introductory session, the gathering moved into a closed-door meeting to address sensitive issues affecting cohesion across party organs.
At present, two separate factions claim leadership of the PDP. While the group loyal to Wike is led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, the faction headed by Kabiru Turaki enjoys the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Despite the rising tension within the party, no court ruling has yet declared either side legitimate.
What You Should Know
The PDP is currently navigating one of its most turbulent leadership disputes, with competing factions seeking control at the national level.
The Turaki-led NWC is working to stabilize the party following the Ibadan Convention, while a rival group aligned with influential figures like Nyesom Wike continues to challenge its authority. With no court ruling granting legitimacy to either side, the struggle for control remains unresolved.
Wednesday’s meeting with state chairmen signals Turaki’s intention to strengthen institutional backing and present a unified structure amid the deepening internal divisions.
