The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Saturday as leaders of a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by factional National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek his support and guidance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The visit took place at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Turaki arrived at the venue at exactly 11:27 am, accompanied by several key figures within the party. Among them were former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang; members of the factional NWC; and other senior party leaders.
Immediately on arrival, Turaki was ushered into a closed-door meeting with the former president. The meeting lasted about 40 minutes and was held away from the media.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, Turaki explained that the visit was part of efforts by the newly elected leadership of his faction to stabilise the party and prepare it for future electoral battles, especially the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the delegation came to formally introduce itself to Obasanjo, who is regarded as one of the founding fathers and major pillars of the PDP. He described the former president as an elder statesman with vast experience in governance, party building, and national leadership.
Turaki said the party leaders also came to seek Obasanjo’s guidance, advice, and moral support as they work towards rebuilding the PDP and removing the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2027.
“As the newly elected PDP leadership during our recent congress at Ibadan, we came to introduce ourselves to our father, the former President under the PDP administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,” Turaki said.
He noted that Obasanjo’s role in strengthening democratic institutions during his time as president between 1999 and 2007 remains significant in Nigeria’s political history.
“We came to thank the former President for his vision and contributions to strengthening our democracy and good governance while he was in power. We came to thank him for helping to build strong institutions which the country is enjoying till today,” he added.
Turaki further explained that the PDP leadership considers Obasanjo as a source of wisdom and inspiration at a time when the party is facing internal challenges and external political pressure.
“We have also come to see the former President to draw inspiration from him as an oracle. We have come to get guidance, we have come to get advice, we have equally come to get critical support,” he said.
He stressed that the mission before the party is a difficult one, especially given the dominance of the APC at the federal level and in several states. However, he said the discussion with Obasanjo had strengthened their resolve.
“If we must succeed in the gargantuan assignment that has been thrust upon our shoulders, then we must come to people like Chief Obasanjo who have the prerequisite experience,” Turaki stated.
The PDP has been grappling with leadership disputes and factional divisions since losing the 2015 presidential election to the APC. These internal problems worsened after the 2023 general elections, in which the party again failed to return to power at the centre. Different factions have emerged within the party, each laying claim to legitimacy and control of party structures.
Turaki’s faction recently held a congress in Ibadan, Oyo State, where it elected its own leadership, a development that has further highlighted the deep divisions within the PDP.
Despite these challenges, Turaki expressed confidence that the party could overcome its problems and return to power in 2027. He described the APC-led government as incompetent and accused it of poor management of the country’s affairs.
He said, “We realized more than ever before now that yes, the task before us may not be an easy one, but from the inspiration and guidance that we have received from Baba today, we are more than ready to go all the way and take PDP back to the seat of power come 2027.”
Turaki also declared that the PDP is already preparing for upcoming elections as part of its broader strategy to rebuild public confidence and demonstrate its readiness to govern.
According to him, the party’s strength and resurgence would soon become evident in the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
“By the time we win these two states, we shall leave no one in doubt that PDP, once again, is on the move,” he said.
“PDP is on the rise to chase out the APC government with all its incompetence and maladministration in 2027,” Turaki added.
The comments reflect the growing determination within sections of the PDP to reposition the party as a strong opposition force and an alternative government.
In their separate remarks, the party’s National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Adolphus Wabara, also spoke on the need for unity within the party.
They urged PDP members across the country to put aside their differences and work together to restore the party to power.
Arapaja said unity and discipline would be key if the party hopes to regain the trust of Nigerians, many of whom are frustrated by economic hardship, insecurity, and governance challenges.
Wabara, on his part, called for widespread mobilisation of party members at the grassroots level. He said the PDP has a legacy of governance that prioritised welfare, infrastructure development, and democratic values, which should be promoted once again.
He noted that the party’s years in power between 1999 and 2015 laid the foundation for many democratic institutions still in use today.
