Makinde-Backed PDP Faction Sets Condition For Reconciliation With Wike Camp

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said any reconciliation with the camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, must ensure that the party remains a strong opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The factional National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated this while speaking on ARISE TV programme, ‘Morning Show,’ on Thursday.

He emphasised that the PDP intends to field candidates at all levels, including the presidency, in the 2027 election cycle.

The position appears to counter speculations that the Wike-led faction may push for the PDP to support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term.

Sources within the party say one of the major hurdles to reconciliation is the differing political alignments of the two camps. While Wike’s allies are believed to be in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid, the Makinde camp—led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki—is said to be committed to presenting a viable PDP presidential candidate.

However, Ememobong expressed optimism that the crisis rocking the party could be resolved if both sides approach negotiations with sincerity.

“Truth is that both hope and delusion are human emotions, and at the end of the day, it is the result that determines which was hope and which was delusion,” he said.

He added that the party leadership is responding to calls from its members to open dialogue aimed at resolving the lingering internal disputes.

“So, I can assure you that we may not endorse the President. As leaders, we listen to the people who delegated power to us. At this point, delegates have asked, ‘Can we at least get to the table?’” he said.

According to him, any peace arrangement within the party must begin with minimum conditions that preserve the PDP’s core identity as a political opposition.

“When parties come together, you negotiate from your minimum requirements. If peace is to be achieved, one of the conditions will be that we field candidates at all levels. Regarding the presidency, we will present a viable candidate. We are approaching reconciliation with an open mind, but it must ensure the PDP remains an opposition party,” Ememobong stated.

He also acknowledged concerns about the role of some party members who currently hold positions in government, noting that such dynamics have complicated efforts to rebuild party unity.

Ememobong, however, warned that prolonging the crisis could weaken the party and harm all factions involved.

“You see, when you’ve come to a point where even they themselves have realised that they would not take the alley that has been given by the parliament to get back to the express way of becoming a party, that would amount to a mutually assured destruction. Everyone is clear about that. It’s an incontrovertible fact,” he said.

The factional PDP spokesperson added that ongoing reconciliation efforts are aimed at reducing tensions within the party and creating space for meaningful negotiations.

“The issue is this, which is why we are beginning to de-escalate to allow, it’s just like the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, where parties are still trying to see what can we pick before we get to the ceasefire and the negotiations,” Ememobong explained.

The PDP has been battling internal divisions since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, with rival factions disagreeing over the party’s direction and strategy ahead of the next electoral cycle.