The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is actively pursuing reconciliation between its two warring factions, with former Senate President and chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, Dr. Bukola Saraki, expressing strong optimism for unity. Speaking at a youth summit in Ilorin, Kwara State, celebrating his 63rd birthday, Saraki assured party members that the factions would align into one indivisible party within a few months. He revealed ongoing discussions between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the two PDP factions, emphasizing that 'things are beginning to happen' and that the future for the party is bright. Saraki urged youths to work hard for the PDP, stating he has no favored candidates for any position and encouraging open contestation for elective posts. He also cautioned against internal propaganda, reiterating that the PDP remains strong, vibrant, and committed to a better Nigeria.

In a significant move to address the internal strife, INEC invited the rival PDP factions to a reconciliation meeting at its national headquarters in Abuja on Friday. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), stated that the meeting was called to find a solution to the party's lingering crisis, prompted by conflicting correspondences received from the involved parties. Amupitan stressed that INEC operates strictly within the ambit of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and its regulations, aiming to forge a way forward for upcoming elections while maintaining impartiality.

Details from the meeting highlighted the deep-seated divisions. One faction is led by Kabiru Turaki, often referred to as Tanimu Turaki, who emerged from an Oyo convention and is backed by Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. This faction's National Working Committee (NWC) claims to be the authentic leadership. The other faction is led by Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu serving as National Secretary, and is strongly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Both sides presented their perspectives to INEC, which acknowledged its awareness of pending cases at the Court of Appeal and indicated it awaits the final judgment of the court on the matter.

The Turaki-led NWC affirmed its commitment to continue its duties as an opposition party while awaiting judicial pronouncements. Senator Anyanwu, representing the Wike-backed faction, praised INEC Chairman Amupitan for his wisdom in calling the meeting, suggesting that the issues stem from 'grief, aggression and ego of some people' within the party. He expressed confidence in the PDP's mechanism for managing internal crises. The underlying power struggle involves FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who, despite being part of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Executive Council, insists on dictating internal party dynamics, especially concerning the 2027 presidential race. This clashes with the Turaki-led NWC's aspiration for the party to independently contend for national political resurgence.

Amidst this complexity, INEC Chairman Amupitan has demonstrated impartiality, showing no disposition to align with the Presidency's body language or second-guess political intentions. His stance that elections are won and lost on the dictates of the electorate has reportedly convinced both contending forces that only court pronouncements will dictate his actions. PDP stakeholders on both sides anticipate that the Supreme Court will ultimately determine the contending issues, despite ongoing claims and reconciliation efforts.