A presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Hashim, has called for urgent reconciliation within the party, insisting that unity remains achievable despite lingering tensions following the recent National Convention in Abuja.
Hashim’s remarks come in the wake of the convention organised by a bloc aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which has deepened divisions within the party.
While acknowledging that the crisis is real, the PDP founding member stressed that it is not beyond resolution, warning that prolonged disunity could weaken the party’s role as a credible opposition.
“Nothing has changed to alter the necessity for reconciliation and unity,” Hashim said on Monday while reacting to developments from the convention.
He urged leaders of rival factions to return to dialogue and work towards harmonising party structures in line with previous agreements, cautioning against further fragmentation.
Hashim also pointed to ongoing legal proceedings at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria and the Supreme Court of Nigeria as legitimate avenues for resolving disputes, noting that a consent judgment could still be achieved if political compromises are made.
Highlighting deeper structural challenges, he cited the existence of parallel National Working Committees and conflicting state structures resulting from separate congresses, warning that excluding any major bloc would further complicate reconciliation efforts.
Beyond the immediate crisis, Hashim called on stakeholders to return to the founding ideals of the PDP as an inclusive political platform, urging members to prioritise the collective interest of the party over factional ambitions.
The PDP has been grappling with internal wrangling in recent times, raising concerns about its cohesion and future as a viable opposition force ahead of upcoming elections.
Despite the challenges, Hashim expressed optimism that with genuine engagement and political will, the party can overcome its differences and regain stability.