Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido are reportedly leading a new effort. They aim to save the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from a perceived “total destruction.” This stems from the party’s ongoing and deep-seated internal crisis.

The proposed solution is the formation of a National Caretaker Committee. This committee would manage the party’s affairs. It would serve until a broadly acceptable national convention can be held.

Why a Caretaker Committee is Needed

This initiative is gaining significant traction. The PDP currently faces multiple layers of crisis. The four-year tenure of the previous National Working Committee (NWC) will end on December 10. Additionally, the legitimacy of the new leadership elected last month in Ibadan is disputed. Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu heads this new faction. Their election is currently being challenged in court.

Checks with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirm recognized PDP leaders. Ambassador Umar Damagum is listed as National Chairman. Senator Samuel Anyanwu is the National Secretary. This creates legal ambiguity. It also highlights a lack of unified authority within the party.

Sources suggest an upcoming Federal High Court ruling. It is expected to invalidate the Ibadan convention. This convention reportedly failed to meet crucial constitutional pre-convention conditions. Without an immediate Caretaker Committee, the PDP risks being left without a legally recognized administrative body.

If formed, the Caretaker Committee would include representatives from all rival factions. Its main task would be to organize an inclusive national convention.

Threat to Upcoming Elections

The internal feuding and leadership confusion now directly threaten the PDP’s ability to participate in upcoming off-season governorship elections. The party’s candidates face uncertainty. This jeopardizes their participation in the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State governorship election. It also affects the August 8, 2026, Osun State election.

INEC guidelines are clear on this matter. Only the National Chairman and National Secretary on the Commission’s official records receive the access code. This code is vital for uploading candidate details. Ambassador Damagum and Senator Anyanwu belong to opposing camps. Damagum reportedly handed over leadership to Tanimu’s faction. Anyanwu is allied with Wike. This division poses a severe challenge. The party may struggle to obtain and use the necessary access code.

The crisis is already having consequences. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reportedly left the party. He is now seeking re-election under the Accord Party platform. The ongoing crisis is cited as the reason for his departure.

Stakeholders Push for Solution

A meeting of concerned stakeholders is being planned, possibly this week. Its purpose is to officially endorse the Caretaker Committee idea. Many believe this is the only “pragmatic way out” for the PDP.

A source familiar with the developments spoke to The Nation. “Former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, has been crucial in reconciliation efforts,” the source stated. “He suggested the formation of a National Caretaker Committee weeks ago. His loyalists, along with those working with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Sule Lamido, have advanced this project significantly.”

The source further added, “Efforts have reached a critical point. The current PDP National Working Committee’s four-year tenure expires on December 10. The November 15 gathering in Ibadan also lacks a legally valid basis. Therefore, a National Caretaker Committee is the only practical solution for the PDP.”

A PDP legislator in Abuja also shared insights with The Nation. “Contending sides in the leadership tussle know the next Federal High Court ruling is likely to focus on constitutional pre-convention conditions,” the legislator explained. “These conditions were never met before the so-called Ibadan convention. Without an immediate Caretaker Committee, the party could find itself in limbo.”

The PDP faces a severe administrative crisis. The deadline for collecting the Ekiti election access code was November 10. The upload deadline is December 22. This makes the need for a unified leadership structure even more urgent.