The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan as part of efforts to resolve the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
Turaki arrived at Jonathan’s Maitama office in Abuja at about 5:45 p.m., accompanied by members of the NWC, select state party chairmen, former governors, Board of Trustees members, founding leaders, former ministers, and other key stakeholders. The delegation reportedly travelled in a convoy of six SUVs.
The high-level consultation comes amid deepening divisions within the PDP, with two factions laying claim to the position of national chairman. While Abdulrahman Mohammed is backed by allies loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Turaki is supported by the camps of Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The crisis was further compounded last week after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declined to recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led NWC. In a related development, the Turaki-led PDP structure in Rivers State recently collapsed into the faction led by Aaron Chukwuemeka, which pledged allegiance to Wike.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the visit was both consultative and symbolic.
“We came to see former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, first to introduce members of the newly elected National Working Committee to him, and then to brief him on what we have been doing since our election at the national convention held in November 2025,” he said.
According to Turaki, Jonathan reassured the delegation of his continued loyalty to the PDP and pledged deeper involvement in the party’s activities.
“He assured us that he remains a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, is active, and will be even more active as we prepare for off-season elections, including Ekiti, and the 2027 general elections,” Turaki stated.
He also acknowledged the legal challenges confronting the party but insisted they would not derail efforts to reposition the PDP as a viable opposition.
“Despite the legal battles we are facing, he believes—as we all do—that the PDP remains the party for Nigerians,” he said.
Turaki further maintained that the party complied with all legal requirements during its primaries, noting that INEC monitored PDP processes in Ekiti and Osun States. However, he expressed concern over what he described as actions by the electoral body that could raise questions about its independence.
On reconciliation, Turaki said the party remained committed to internal unity once ongoing legal disputes are resolved.
“I am one of those who believe that not every political disagreement should end up in court,” he said, adding that aggrieved members would be welcomed back once they demonstrate sincerity and commitment to party cohesion.
While declining to disclose the full details of Jonathan’s advice, Turaki said the former president’s counsel would significantly shape the PDP’s roadmap going forward.