PDP caretaker chairman says court ruling offers path to reconciliation

The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Abdulraham Mohammed, has said that the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the leadership dispute in the party offers an opportunity for reconciliation.

Mohammed stated this while inaugurating the PDP National Convention Committee, headed by former governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, on Saturday night in Abuja.

The caretaker committee chairman, while extending a hand of fellowship to all members of the opposition party, expressed optimism that genuine reconciliation will strengthen the party.

The PDP has been polarized after the party’s National Convention in Ibadan, which produced a new National Working Committee (NWC) led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

However, the Court of Appeal, on March 9, nullified the convention and upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, which directed the opposition party not to proceed with the exercise.

In the aftermath of the judgment, the caretaker committee, which enjoys the support of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has set up plans for its convention slated for March 29 and 30 in Abuja.

Mohammed charged members of the convention committee to discharge their duties with diligence and impartiality, stating that the task before them is both historic and administrative.

He said: “The recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, widely regarded as a ‘no victor, no vanquished’ verdict, offers us a philosophical anchor. It reminds us that true triumph lies not in individual victories, but in collective survival and institutional continuity. It calls us to rise above divisions and embrace reconciliation as a higher virtue.

“Accordingly, we reaffirm our openness to broader engagement. We extend a hand of fellowship to all, firmly believing that genuine reconciliation will deepen unity, strengthen solidarity, and reposition our party for greater national service.

“In this regard, we salute all agents of peace within our ranks and commend the commitment and sacrifices of our leaders, particularly our National Leader, His Excellency, Minister Nyesom Wike, whose steadfastness has contributed meaningfully to this moment.

“We also warmly welcome our brothers and sisters who have returned to the family fold. The PDP remains a broad and accommodating platform, ever willing to reconcile and rebuild.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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