Key party stakeholders attended the meeting, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who left without addressing the press.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki to head a high-level reconciliation committee to resolve internal rifts ahead of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the end of May.
The decision was reached during a closed-door meeting on Sunday night at the Abuja residence of Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State.
Key party stakeholders attended the meeting, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who left without addressing the press.
Present at the gathering were PDP governors, including Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Peter Mbah (Enugu), as well as former governors such as Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa).
Also in attendance were PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagun, former Caretaker Committee Chairman Ahmed Makarfi, and members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Mohammed said the reconciliation committee was formed to engage aggrieved members and party leaders in order to stabilise the party’s ranks ahead of the NEC meeting and the national convention later this year.
“We invited former governors and party elders to tap into their wealth of experience. We believe their input will help calm nerves and reposition the party,” Mohammed stated.
The PDP has been grappling with a wave of defections and internal wrangling since the 2023 general elections.
The situation recently escalated with the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several top Delta officials to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, three PDP senators from Kebbi State also defected to the APC after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
There are also unresolved tensions between former Rivers State Governor Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, which have further strained party unity.
Despite these challenges, Mohammed said the party remains optimistic.
“These defections will only make us stronger. We are working on reclaiming lost states and reuniting our ranks,” he asserted.
The Saraki-led committee is expected to begin consultations immediately. It hopes that its efforts will create a united front as the party prepares for its upcoming NEC meeting and future electoral contests.
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