The Tanimu Turaki-led national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC), met with former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Turaki said the visit was to introduce the new party leadership to Mr Jonathan following their election at the national convention in Ibadan in November 2025.
Mr Turaki described the former president’s response as “reassuring and very encouraging,” noting that Mr Jonathan expressed a deep sense of obligation to the party.
“We have solicited, as usual, for his support, for his guidance, and for his advice, as always.
“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.
“He has assured us that PDP has done everything for him that can be done to an individual, and that he still feels that he remains obligated to PDP.
“His remarks and statements are not only reassuring, but indeed they are very encouraging as we begin to prepare for elections: off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year and the 2027 general elections,” Mr Turaki said.
Mr Turaki maintained that, despite the current internal crisis, the PDP remains the “most veritable platform” for winning elections in Nigeria.
“We still remain the leading opposition party in this country, and this new leadership of PDP is taking this party back to the people, who are the owners.
“In doing so, there’s going to be a level playing ground that’s going to be inclusive. There will be no longer impunity, and we are not going to allow people to take what does not belong to them,” he said.
Responding to questions regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) exclusion of the party’s candidate for the Ekiti election, Mr Turaki insisted the party had fulfilled all statutory obligations.
He explained that while INEC monitored the primaries and provided portal passwords for data uploads, the commission later blocked the party’s access.
“We had done manual submission to INEC, which they collected. INEC, as a regulator, has the discretion to attend or refuse, but they honoured our notices, monitored our primaries, and wrote reports.
“As far as I am concerned, INEC has recognised this leadership,” Mr Turaki said.
On the lingering crisis within the party and the potential for “political solutions” rather than protracted litigation, Mr Turaki said the PDP is open to reconciliation.
He said that while he believed in reconciliation, it was not the party that took matters to the court, but they were in the court to defend the party.
“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.
“Even after these matters are resolved by the courts, we will still come back. We are willing to carry along those who are loyal and show genuine remorse,” he said.
Mr Turaki added that the leadership was ready to sit at a “round table” with all aggrieved members to move forward as “one big PDP family.”
Those at the meeting include former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu, former Minister of Information and National Orientation Jerry Gana, and chairman of PDP South-South Caretaker Committee Emmanuel Ogidi.
Others are the national secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; national publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong; and deputy national secretary, Richard Ihediwa.
The Turaki-led NWC had also met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders across the country.
(NAN)