The Peoples Democratic Party must establish an independent conflict resolution system capable of addressing internal disputes before they escalate, according to the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Turaki-led faction, Ini Ememobong.

Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday regarding ongoing tensions within the party ahead of a planned convention by one faction, Ememobong stressed that the absence of a structured and neutral mechanism to manage disagreements has contributed to recurring crises within the PDP.

He noted that while efforts are currently underway to reconcile aggrieved factions through direct dialogue, the party must look beyond immediate resolutions and prioritise long-term institutional reforms.

He said, “Going forward, the party needs to have an independent machinery that stands ready to check conflicts. Because you don’t allow conflict to get to the boiling point before you intervene.”

Ememobong explained that the party’s previous reconciliation efforts, including the 2025 committee led by Bukola Saraki, were hindered by concerns over neutrality. He argued that any effective reconciliation process must be anchored on impartiality to ensure outcomes acceptable to all parties involved.

In contrast, he said the current reconciliation effort differs significantly, as opposing factions are engaging directly without intermediaries. While this approach may foster more transparent dialogue, he cautioned that it also carries the risk of deadlock in the absence of neutral arbiters.

“If the negotiations break down, the parties themselves would have been unable to reach an agreement,” he noted.

Ememobong traced the roots of the ongoing crisis to longstanding internal disagreements dating back several years, which intensified after the party’s loss of power in 2015 and further deepened following the Ibadan convention in November 2025.

Looking ahead, Ememobong proposed the creation of an independent conflict management framework, potentially involving external professional bodies such as arbitration and mediation institutes, to provide neutral oversight in times of internal disputes.

According to him, such a system would function as an early warning mechanism, identifying and addressing tensions before they spiral into full-blown crises.

“Sometimes you need external people to objectively assess positions and guide parties towards resolution,” he said.

He acknowledged that establishing such a mechanism within a political party may be challenging due to competing interests among stakeholders, but maintained that it is necessary to safeguard the party’s unity and prevent future breakdowns.

As reconciliation talks continue ahead of the planned convention, Ememobong expressed optimism that dialogue would yield results, while reiterating that lasting stability would depend on institutional reforms that prioritise proactive conflict management. (AriseNews TV)

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