PDP Moves to Reclaim Power as Factional Leaders Meet Ex-VP Sambo in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reiterated its resolve to reclaim political power across Nigeria following a high-level meeting between its factional leaders and former Vice President Namadi Sambo in Abuja. The meeting, held on Tuesday evening, was aimed at reinforcing internal unity, addressing lingering legal disputes, and repositioning the opposition party ahead of forthcoming elections.

Party leaders described the engagement as part of wider consultations with elder statesmen and founding figures of the PDP, signalling a renewed effort to stabilise the party after months of internal disagreements. According to the leadership, the meeting underscored the PDP’s readiness to overcome its challenges and re-establish itself as a credible alternative in the national political space.

PDP Leadership Reaffirms Unity and Electoral Ambition

Addressing journalists after the meeting, PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), said the former Vice President reaffirmed his continued membership and loyalty to the party. Turaki noted that Sambo offered strategic guidance on strengthening unity, legality, and competitiveness as the PDP prepares for future elections.

He explained that the delegation, which included members of the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, founding fathers and mothers, serving and former lawmakers, state chairmen, former governors and ministers, briefed Sambo on both the opportunities and challenges confronting the party since the emergence of the current leadership at the Ibadan convention.

According to Turaki, Sambo assured the delegation of his readiness to play a more active role in the party’s affairs. He added that the former Vice President encouraged the leadership to remain focused on discipline and cohesion, stressing that such qualities were critical to restoring the PDP’s electoral fortunes nationwide.

Confidence Ahead of Elections and Court Ruling

Turaki expressed optimism about the party’s prospects in upcoming polls, including the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections as well as the off-season governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. He said the reassurance from the party’s founding leaders had boosted confidence within the PDP, which he described as “the biggest party in Africa.”

Reacting to the recent dismissal by a Federal High Court of a suit involving a caretaker committee backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Turaki said the judgment vindicated the party’s position. He maintained that the courts should not interfere in purely internal party matters, noting that the ruling affirmed the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention and the leadership that emerged from it.

He further stated that the judgment reinforced the principle that leadership positions within political parties cannot be assumed unilaterally, emphasising the need for order and discipline in party administration.

Lingering Factional Dispute and Ongoing Consultations

Despite the endorsement of the Ibadan convention by PDP governors and the formal handover from former Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki, the Wike-aligned faction has continued to lay claim to the positions of Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary. This development led to the formation of a 13-member caretaker committee by the faction, a move that deepened internal divisions.

The dispute prompted both factions to seek recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), resulting in the commission withholding recognition of PDP candidates for the Ekiti election. Several court cases challenging the party’s national leadership also remain pending at different levels of the judiciary.

Nevertheless, the Turaki-led National Working Committee has sustained consultations with prominent elder statesmen, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, former Defence Minister T.Y. Danjuma, and now former Vice President Namadi Sambo, as part of efforts to stabilise and reposition the party.