PDP reconciliation committee meeting

Amid a growing wave of defections threatening its future, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a strategic counter-offensive led by a high-powered reconciliation panel chaired by former Senate President Bukola Saraki. The panel held a closed-door meeting with members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja to tackle festering internal crises and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Key issues addressed during the meeting included the exodus of members to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the protracted leadership crisis in the South-South zone, and the dispute over the party’s National Secretary position.

Sources at the meeting told The PUNCH that tension ran high as the Saraki committee—comprising current and former governors such as Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, Peter Mbah, and Seriake Dickson—was mandated to address root causes of disunity. Also in attendance were PDP acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).

The Saraki-led team reportedly agreed to settle the National Secretary issue in favour of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, following the Supreme Court’s judgement. However, the party’s official statement insisted that Arch. Setonji Koshoedo remains the acting scribe, fuelling further uncertainty.

Party insiders confirmed that Rivers-born Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, used the occasion to clear his name of anti-party allegations from the 2023 elections. Wike, a central figure in PDP’s internal wrangling, claimed he informed party leadership about his federal appointment and challenged critics to present evidence of wrongdoing.

The reconciliation push follows high-profile defections, including that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and three Kebbi senators—Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki—who recently joined the APC, citing PDP’s leadership vacuum and internal discord.

Senator Gabriel Suswam warned during an Arise TV interview that without urgent corrective action, PDP risks collapse before 2027. “Yes, PDP is in the ICU,” he said. “But it can be rescued with the right medicine.”

Other party elders expressed cautious optimism. PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha likened the crisis to turbulence during a flight, saying the party was still on course. Similarly, NEC member and ex-National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri urged those with no genuine interest in party unity to leave, insisting PDP would emerge stronger.

With a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting set for May 27, the Saraki panel is expected to intensify consultations with party stakeholders, aiming to stem the tide of defections and chart a new course for the party.