Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have gained momentum following consultations with former Heads of State, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida.
The consultations were initiated by PDP chieftain Gbenga Hashim as part of a broader mediation drive aimed at resolving the lingering internal crisis that has fractured the party for months.
Sources within the party said the quiet diplomatic outreach forms part of a wider strategy to calm tensions triggered by prolonged legal battles and factional manoeuvres that have threatened the party’s cohesion.
Party insiders disclosed that Hashim has been engaging key actors from rival camps through discreet backchannel contacts, with the involvement of Obasanjo and Babangida seen as an attempt to leverage the influence of the PDP’s founding figures in restoring unity.
According to officials familiar with the process, the reconciliation initiative began in January with consultations involving leaders of the Turaki bloc. The discussions later extended to a meeting with Mallam Abdulrahman, a prominent figure in the faction often linked to former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
Sources said the talks largely focused on the political and institutional risks of allowing internal disputes to remain tied up in court.
The push for reconciliation also appears to have gained support from the judiciary. During a recent sitting of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Ibadan, justices hearing an appeal related to the dispute reportedly urged the parties involved to consider reconciliation in the interest of political stability and internal party harmony.
Party sources described last weekend as a significant turning point, revealing that intensified backchannel communication between leaders from both sides produced an agreement in principle to begin aligning positions despite the ongoing court proceedings.
“The tension has eased. People are beginning to talk again,” a senior party official said.
Insiders noted that stakeholders are now planning to deepen consultations and move towards formal face-to-face discussions, although a final agreement has yet to be documented.
Another party source said many PDP members are increasingly eager for reconciliation as their political ambitions ahead of future elections depend on a stable and united party.
“Those seeking seats in the State Assembly, governorship positions, the House of Representatives and the Senate know that their chances depend on the party remaining strong and united,” the source said.
Despite the internal crisis, party leaders believe the PDP’s grassroots strength remains intact, pointing to its performance in recent Area Council elections.
“The structure is still solid. What has been lacking is unity at the leadership level,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Vanguard gathered that communication channels between the factions aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which had been frozen for months, have now been reopened as part of the reconciliation process.
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