Former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has declared that reconciliation efforts within the party have completely broken down, with both factions now returning to litigation over control of the party structure.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Monday, Sani said the initial framework for reconciliation, anchored on a return to “status quo ante”, had failed, accusing the rival camp of proceeding with parallel party structures and a disputed convention.
“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 said.
Sani explained that both factions had initially agreed to suspend key party activities to create room for dialogue. However, he alleged that the process collapsed when one group moved ahead with its own arrangements.
“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 stated.
He further claimed that early discussions among key stakeholders failed, as commitments reached were not honoured.
“After discussions, it was said there was nothing like reconciliation and that they were going ahead with the convention. No position would be sacrificed,” Sani added.
Describing the development as a takeover attempt, Sani argued that court rulings being relied upon by the opposing faction were being challenged as unconstitutional within the PDP 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 said.
On claims that the PDP lacks the financial capacity to support presidential candidates, Sani dismissed the argument, noting that the party has traditionally relied on contributions from governors and stakeholders.
“It is not the PDP that gives presidential candidates money. Governors and stakeholders contribute. That is how it has always worked,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions that the party should abandon its presidential ambitions to focus on grassroots politics, alleging that the rival faction is aligned 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 Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” he claimed.
Despite the deepening crisis, Sani maintained that his faction retains the party’s legitimate national structures, including the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Committee (NEC), and National Working Committee (NWC).
“Our PDP has authentic structures led by the BoT, NEC and NWC. Those are the ones we recognise,” he said.
On the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sani argued that the ultimate authority in determining legitimacy lies with the courts and the party’s constitution, not the electoral body.
Finally, dismissing calls for an opposition merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, he said his faction remains committed to pursuing legal remedies.
“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 said, adding that any consideration of alliances would only arise if legal options are exhausted.
