The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed former Senate President Bukola Saraki to chair a newly constituted reconciliation committee aimed at addressing internal disputes within the party ahead of its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The development followed a strategic meeting held on Sunday night at the Abuja residence of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum.
Also present at the meeting was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, though he did not address journalists.
Governors in attendance included Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Peter Mbah (Enugu).
Former governors who participated included Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa).
Also in attendance were the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, former Caretaker Committee Chairman Ahmed Makarfi, and members of the party’s National Working Committee.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed explained that the gathering was part of preparations for the NEC meeting slated for later this month.
“The invitation of the former governors was done to tap from their experiences, so they could resolve some of the internal challenges and prepare the ground for a rancour-free NEC meeting and a national convention later in the year,” the Bauchi governor stated.
When asked about the recent wave of defections from the party, particularly the departure of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his cabinet to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed said the defections would not weaken the PDP.
Instead, he emphasized, “The development would rather make them stronger.”
He added that the party was already strategizing to reclaim control in key states where it previously held power.
The PDP has been facing persistent internal crises since the 2023 general elections, worsened by unresolved conflicts, most notably the prolonged dispute between former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Sim Fubara.
Despite multiple interventions by the party’s leadership, including the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, the NEC, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, these efforts have so far failed to end the rifts.
The situation escalated on April 23 when Governor Oborevwori, former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other state officials officially joined the APC.
In a similar development, Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) also defected to the APC after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
