By Onilede Titi Faith
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is grappling with renewed internal strife as its National Executive Committee (NEC), and National Working Committee (NWC), met on Tuesday in Abuja to address festering leadership disputes and concerns over the party’s future.
However, the high-stakes meeting ended in a deadlock, with no concrete resolution reached.
The meeting, which drew the participation of governors elected under the PDP, key NWC members, and officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was convened to resolve internal disagreements over party leadership structure, internal democracy, and strategies ahead of future elections.
According to insiders, the talks were marred by deep-seated divisions among party stakeholders, with some governors and NWC members accusing the national leadership of exclusionary practices and weak strategic planning.
Efforts by INEC officials to mediate and guide the discussions in line with electoral guidelines proved ineffective, as discussions broke down over conflicting views and entrenched loyalties.
The commission had hoped to ensure the PDP remained in compliance with its internal election processes and constitutional obligations, particularly in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
“No significant progress was made,” a senior party source disclosed. “Everyone is frustrated, but the divisions are too deep right now. There was agreement only to reconvene later.”
The crisis threatens to further destabilize the party, which has struggled to present a united front since losing the presidency in 2015.
While some party loyalists are calling for urgent constitutional reforms and a transparent leadership renewal process, others warn that continued infighting could erode the PDP’s position as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.
In a brief statement issued after the meeting, the PDP NWC called for calm and unity, urging members to put the party’s interest above personal ambitions.
“We remain committed to dialogue and reconciliation,” the statement read.
As the party prepares for future electoral contests, particularly the off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 polls, political analysts have warned that the PDP must urgently resolve its internal crises or risk becoming increasingly irrelevant on the national stage.
Follow-up meetings are expected in the coming weeks as pressure mounts on the party to restore internal cohesion and reassert its influence within Nigeria’s political landscape.
