A bold political rescue mission is quietly unfolding as key power brokers, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and ex–Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, move to prevent what insiders describe as a looming collapse of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Their joint initiative seeks to restore stability to a party strained by leadership disputes, legal contestations, and electoral risks.
Momentum for this plan has surged amid growing fears that the prolonged crisis is dragging the party toward “irreversible damage,” particularly with major governorship elections approaching.
At the heart of the proposed intervention is the creation of a National Caretaker Committee to steer the party while preparations are made for an inclusive convention acceptable to all factions.
Sources familiar with the conversations said the push for a neutral structure became urgent following concerns about the legality of the Ibadan convention, where Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu emerged as leader, a development currently being challenged in court.
The former National Working Committee’s four-year mandate lapses on December 10, compounding fears that PDP may soon find itself without any constitutionally valid leadership.
Further complications are evident on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s portal, which still recognises Ambassador Umar Damagum as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
This duality, shaped by factional loyalties, has created what many describe as “a dangerous legal vacuum.”
A source in the party said: “You cannot lead a national political organisation with two claimants to the same authority and expect clarity. A political party cannot be on autopilot.”
Party insiders also warn that without swift restructuring, PDP risks being disqualified from the Ekiti and Osun off–season governorship elections in 2026.
According to INEC rules, only the recognised chairman and secretary can obtain the access code required to upload candidate details. With Damagum and Anyanwu aligned with rival political blocs, the party’s ability to participate is now in jeopardy.
The ongoing uncertainty has already produced casualties. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s speculated decision to seek re-election under the Accord Party is being linked directly to the leadership confusion.
A PDP legislator told reporters in Abuja: “The court is expected to rule soon, and most stakeholders understand that the Ibadan convention did not satisfy constitutional requirements. If the court voids it and no Caretaker Committee is in place, PDP could literally be left stranded.”
Supporters of the Caretaker plan insist it is the only workable remedy. The source close to the negotiations disclosed: “Saraki floated this idea weeks ago. Stakeholders loyal to him, Wike, and Lamido have driven the consultations far. The proposal is now less an idea and more a necessity.”
A stakeholders’ meeting is expected this week to officially adopt the proposal, pending final consensus from all factions. However, the clock is ticking.
The deadline to secure access credentials for the Ekiti election has already slipped by, and with the upload window set to close on December 22, the stakes have never been higher for a once-dominant party now struggling to hold onto its identity, structure, and collective relevance.
As this plays out, the situation adds a fresh and dramatic twist to the PDP’s long-running internal turmoil, presenting either the promise of rebirth or the risk of deeper fragmentation, outcomes largely dependent on how quickly the party can replace discord with unity.
Ultimately, the coming days will determine whether the rescue initiative becomes a decisive turning point or yet another missed opportunity in the party’s storied political journey.