Factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Taminu Turaki (SAN), says the party has learned valuable lessons from its internal crises and past missteps, declaring that it has “woken up from its slumber” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Turaki, who is backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, December 17, during the PDP Board of Trustees meeting.
According to him, the new leadership will prioritise unity and reconciliation to rebuild the trust of party members and Nigerians at large.
“We have had our ups and downs. We fought ourselves and we fought each other. Some fought us from within and from without,” he said.
“Now is the time for peace. One of the cardinal principles of this leadership is reconciliation. We believe there is no dispute or disagreement that cannot be resolved where there is a common objective and collective will to strengthen the party.”
Turaki said the PDP remains the strongest political force at the grassroots but must work harder to reconnect with the people.
“We have realised the mistakes we made, and we are ready to correct them—not only with our members, but with all Nigerians.
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“You knew us, you trusted us, we made mistakes, but we are waking up from our slumber. We are ready to correct those mistakes. We ask Nigerians to trust us again,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said the recent Ibadan convention that produced the new National Working Committee underscored the party’s commitment to internal democracy and transparency.
“From the early days of this leadership, the signs are clear: the party is being repositioned, structures are being strengthened and confidence is being restored across the federation,” Wabara said.
He called for reconciliation among members, urging those who left the party to return.
“This is a moment that calls for reconciliation and healing. I appeal to all aggrieved members at every level of the party to sheath their swords and return fully to the PDP family,” he said.
Wabara said Nigerians are experiencing “hardship and loss of faith” under the APC government and that the 2027 elections will be a referendum on leadership.
“The 2027 elections will not be about defections or propaganda. They will be about the Nigerian people versus a failed government. And when that day comes, the PDP will stand firmly on the side of the people,” he said.