By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja, Jan. 6, 2026
In a significant move to consolidate its ranks and unify its leadership, the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, held a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday. This high-level consultation marks a critical step in the party’s strategy to reconcile internal factions and prepare for upcoming electoral battles.
The meeting, which included prominent party elders, was primarily to formally introduce the leadership elected at the party’s National Convention in Ibadan last November. However, its deeper significance lies in the quest for legitimacy, historical continuity, and the symbolic blessing of one of the party’s most recognizable figures.
A Reassuring Endorsement from a Key Figure
Addressing journalists afterward, Turaki described the encounter as “reassuring and very encouraging.” He revealed that Jonathan, who served as President from 2010 to 2015 under the PDP banner, affirmed his unwavering commitment to the party.
“We have his assurance that he’s still a card-carrying member of the PDP; he’s still active, and will even be more active these days in the activities and affairs of the PDP,” Turaki stated. This pledge is politically crucial. Jonathan’s perceived neutrality in recent years and his statesmanlike role across Africa had led to speculation about his detachment from the PDP’s daily struggles. His renewed commitment provides a morale boost and could help attract moderate voters and disaffected members back to the fold.
Turaki quoted Jonathan as saying, “PDP has done everything for him that can be done to an individual, and that he still feels he remains obligated to the party.” This sense of obligation is a powerful tool for the new NWC as it seeks to mend fences and project a united front.
Rebuilding for 2027: A Return to the People
Beyond securing Jonathan’s support, Turaki outlined the new leadership’s core philosophy: returning ownership of the party to its grassroots members. He positioned the PDP as the “most veritable platform” for winning elections in Nigeria, despite its current internal crises and status as the leading opposition party.
“This new leadership of PDP is taking this party back to the people, who are the owners,” he declared. “In doing so there’s going to be a level playing field, inclusivity. There will be no longer impunity and we are not going to allow people to take what does not belong to them.” This statement is a direct critique of past practices within the party, often blamed for defections and internal wrangling, and signals an intent to reform candidate selection and internal democracy.
Addressing Immediate Challenges: The Ekiti Candidate and Internal Crisis
The leadership also confronted immediate practical hurdles. On the controversial exclusion of the PDP’s candidate for the upcoming Ekiti State election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Turaki presented the party’s case. He insisted all statutory obligations were met, alleging that INEC monitored primaries, collected manual submissions, and then inexplicably blocked the party’s access to the candidate nomination portal.
“As far as I am concerned, INEC has recognised this leadership,” Turaki asserted, framing the issue as one of regulatory inconsistency rather than party failure.
Regarding the lingering internal legal battles, Turaki struck a conciliatory yet firm tone. He emphasized the party’s openness to “political solutions” and reconciliation, noting that the current NWC was forced to defend the party in court after being sued by aggrieved members.
“I am one of the advocates who believe that it is not every political disagreement you take to court. But we were the ones sued. We have an obligation to defend the party,” he explained. He extended an olive branch, stating the leadership was ready for a “round table” discussion with all aggrieved members to rebuild “one big PDP family,” albeit with the caveat of welcoming those “who are loyal and show genuine remorse.”
Strategic Outreach and the Road Ahead
The meeting with Jonathan is part of a broader consultation tour by the Turaki-led NWC, which has also met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders nationwide. This outreach underscores a strategic effort to anchor the new leadership’s authority in the party’s established legacy and to gather wisdom and support from its elder statesmen.
The assurances gained from Jonathan provide a foundational narrative of unity as the PDP begins the arduous task of preparing for the off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states later this year, and the ultimate prize: the 2027 general elections. The success of this reconciliation mission and the translation of these pledges into active, on-the-ground support will be the true test of the meeting’s outcome.
In attendance at the meeting were former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; former Minister Prof. Jerry Gana; South-South Caretaker Committee Chairman Chief Emmanuel Ogidi; National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong; and Deputy National Secretary Richard Ihediwa.
(Report by the News Agency of Nigeria – NAN)
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
