Ahead of the 2027 general elections, key political figures across party lines have intensified consultations, raising fresh concerns about the deepening crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed held a series of strategic meetings with prominent opposition leaders, including Seriake Dickson, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Peter Obi.
The engagements began with a closed-door meeting in Bauchi, where Makinde and Mohammed met with Dickson. The delegation later moved to Kano, joining Kwankwaso and Obi at the 10th annual Dandalin Kwankwasiyya event.
Although officially framed as part of Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, insiders revealed that the gathering involved high-level discussions on political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections. Sources indicated that the meeting brought together key figures with presidential ambitions, suggesting early coalition talks.
The development comes as reconciliation efforts between the PDP governors’ bloc and the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appear to have stalled.
Tensions within the party have persisted for nearly a year, leading to a split into rival factions. The governors’ camp, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, conducted a convention in Ibadan in November, while Wike’s bloc later established a caretaker committee headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The internal crisis took a legal turn following rulings by the Court of Appeal, which nullified the Ibadan convention and declared the emergence of Turaki and his team invalid. The court also encouraged both factions to seek an amicable resolution.
Despite initial signs of reconciliation, recent exchanges between both camps suggest growing mistrust. Makinde openly criticised any alliance with Wike’s faction, alleging that such alignment would amount to supporting President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“We are not begrudging them; you can support whoever you like. But go to them if you want to support them,” Makinde stated, insisting that his group represents the interests of the people.
In contrast, Bala Mohammed maintained a more conciliatory tone, emphasising that no political disagreement is beyond resolution.
Meanwhile, the Wike-backed caretaker committee, through its spokesperson Jungudo Mohammed, accused the governors’ faction of attempting to undermine the party’s planned national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30.
The allegation was swiftly dismissed by Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for the Turaki-led camp, who described the claims as blackmail and reaffirmed his group’s commitment to reconciliation.
While both sides continue to express willingness for dialogue, ongoing disputes over leadership and the upcoming convention indicate that peace efforts may have reached a deadlock.
Observers say the outcome of these internal battles, alongside emerging cross-party alliances, could significantly shape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
