PDP Reconciliation Efforts Have Collapsed, Claims Chieftain Umar Sani

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Umar Sani, has declared that reconciliation attempts within the party have entirely broken down. He asserted that both opposing factions have now abandoned the reconciliation process and have resorted to legal battles over the party's leadership and structure.

During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Sani indicated that the initial agreement for reconciliation was based on a return to the "status quo ante." However, he alleged that a rival camp proceeded to establish parallel party structures and proceeded with a contentious convention, thereby violating this understanding.

Sani stated, "Reconciliation has broken down. There is no more reconciliation. The idea was that everybody would return back to status quo ante, but that has not happened."

He elaborated that both factions had initially consented to pause significant party activities to facilitate dialogue. However, Sani claimed the process disintegrated after one faction moved forward with its own arrangements.

According to his account, "We suspended our caucus meeting in good faith. They were also supposed to suspend their convention so we could sit at a roundtable, but they went ahead."

He further claimed that discussions between prominent party figures did not yield the desired outcomes, asserting that promises made during initial talks were not honoured.

Sani remarked, "After discussions, it was said there was nothing like reconciliation and that they were going ahead with the convention. No position would be sacrificed."

He characterized the situation as an attempted hostile takeover, arguing that court decisions cited by the opposing faction are being challenged as unconstitutional within the PDP's internal framework.

"We challenged the court decision that recognised an unconstitutional committee. It has gone to the Court of Appeal, and we have now told them reconciliation has failed," he stated.

Addressing claims that the PDP lacks the financial capacity to support presidential candidates, Sani refuted the assertion, maintaining that the party has historically relied on contributions from its members and stakeholders, rather than central funding.

He explained, "It is not the PDP that gives presidential candidates money. Governors and stakeholders contribute. That is how it has always worked."

Sani also rejected suggestions that the party should set aside its presidential aspirations and concentrate on grassroots politics. He alleged that the opposing faction is in collusion with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

"That faction is an extension of the APC. Their agenda is to weaken the PDP and support President Tinubu in 2027," he claimed.

Notwithstanding the internal conflict, he reaffirmed that the PDP possesses its legitimate national structures, including the Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, and National Working Committee.

"Our PDP has authentic structures led by the BOT, NEC and NWC. Those are the ones we recognise," he asserted.

Regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) recognition of factional groups, Sani argued that the ultimate authority rests with the courts and the party's constitution, not the electoral body.

Finally, dismissing calls for an opposition merger prior to the 2027 elections, Sani expressed confidence that his faction will pursue legal avenues and is disinclined to dissolve into alliances.

"We are not withdrawing from the contest. We believe the courts will compel INEC to give us time to put our house in order," he concluded.

He added that any decisions regarding alliances would only be considered after all legal options have been exhausted.