Aminu Turaki led PDP Exco
PDP Warring Groups Submit to INEC Mediation Talks
By Raphael Ekpang
Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the warring factions of the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have finally submitted to mediation by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Both factions were invited for a truce by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, with the aim of helping the struggling opposition party regain its footing and reducing the burden of dealing with two separate groups.
Amupitan had earlier said the meeting was intended to resolve the lingering crisis rocking the once‑ruling party.
Samuel Anyanwu led faction
After a closed‑door meeting with the INEC chairman at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja on Friday, both sides separately commended Amupitan for convening the talks and for his effort to settle the dispute.
The national chairman of the PDP from the Oyo convention, Aminu Turaki, said they were not aware that they would be meeting with expelled members who had formed a faction, but added that it was still a positive step for INEC to bring both sides together to be heard directly.
“We were invited last night by the Commission to attend the meeting this morning. When we received the invite, we thought it was in respect of an earlier request. When we arrived this morning, however, we discovered that some former members of our party, who had earlier been expelled, were also invited,” Turaki said.
He added that INEC, while acknowledging that some matters are before the Court of Appeal, signaled its willingness to look into the issues raised by both sides.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, speaking for the other faction, described Amupitan as a “man blessed by God with wisdom” for calling the meeting, noting that the way INEC addressed both sides showed a genuine desire to see PDP thrive as Nigeria’s main opposition.
Both sides said they were able to identify the core issues driving the conflict – grievances, aggression, and ego – and reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law, electoral guidelines, and party constitution.
The PDP has been embroiled in a self‑inflicted crisis that has split it into two factions: one led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, backed by former FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the other led by Aminu Turaki, backed by Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyi Makinde of Oyo.
The INEC mediation marks a hopeful step toward reconciling the divided party ahead of the 2027 elections.
