Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has called on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to embrace the National Caretaker Committee to pave the way for reconciliation within the party.
The committee, led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and supported by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has official recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Lamido, who was excluded from the national chairmanship race ahead of the now-cancelled convention in Ibadan, stressed the need for dialogue and compromise during a Ramadan Iftar with PDP officers in his hometown of Bamaina.
Lamido described Wike as politically astute, noting that the absence of a stabilising leadership structure after the expiration of the National Working Committee (NWC) led to the emergence of the caretaker committee. He urged party leaders to rise above personal differences, reconcile, and work collectively to safeguard the PDP’s legacy and future electoral prospects.
“The PDP is a collective institution. It made many of us who we are today. We must give back to the party by ensuring its survival and preserving its legacy,” Lamido said.
Divergent Views on Reconciliation
Despite Lamido’s appeal, uncertainty surrounds the reconciliation process as both camps in the party hold different positions. The Turaki/Makinde faction and the Wike/Anyanwu group have yet to break the ice fully after the Court of Appeal nullified the illegal NWC.
Comrade Ini Ememobong, spokesman of the Turaki camp, said that reconciliation discussions were ongoing but deliberately kept private. Meanwhile, Jagunda Haruna, spokesman for the Caretaker Committee, stated that no direct communication had yet taken place between the two factions, noting the importance of time constraints ahead of the national convention scheduled for March 28–29 in Abuja.
Stalwart and former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said successful reconciliation would reposition the party as a strong contender in the 2027 elections, calling on party officials to engage with ward leaders, whom he described as “commanders” of the party structure.
Wike Camp Holds Bauchi Congress
Over the weekend, the PDP faction loyal to Wike in Bauchi State elected Ibrahim Kassim Toro as state chairman through consensus. The congress, monitored by INEC, also produced a new executive committee, including Barrister Bashir Tahir Misau as deputy chairman and Nazif Sabo Likita Jama’are as secretary. Outgoing chairman Jungudo Haruna Mohammed commended the process as peaceful and orderly, thanking stakeholders and security agencies for their support.
As the PDP navigates these internal challenges, party leaders continue to stress unity, grassroots mobilisation, and compromise as key to strengthening the party ahead of upcoming political contests.
