Wafric News – May 12, 2025

Abuja, Nigeria — In a bold move to stabilize its fracturing ranks ahead of a critical election cycle, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed former Senate President and Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to head a newly formed reconciliation committee.

The decision was reached during a strategic meeting of PDP governors and ex-governors in Abuja on Monday, aimed at calming internal tensions and repositioning the party ahead of its May 27 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and August elective convention.

Announcing the development, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said the seven-member committee led by Saraki will be tasked with engaging aggrieved members, addressing long-standing grievances, and restoring party cohesion at both the state and national levels.

“We are facing some existential issues, no doubt,” Mohammed told journalists. “But this committee is meant to close ranks and build the internal unity we need to navigate smoothly toward our NEC and national convention.”

The PDP has been wrestling with deepening internal fractures since the 2023 general elections. Party unity has been rocked by multiple crises, notably the fallout between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, disputes within the South-South zone, and a prolonged leadership vacuum after the National Secretary’s exit in December 2024.

Despite interventions from various party organs — including the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the Governors Forum — internal tensions have worsened, triggering defections and widespread disillusionment among party faithful.

One of the biggest blows came on April 23, when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, along with top state officials, decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The high-profile defection sent shockwaves across the party and cast doubts over the PDP’s preparedness for 2027.

Governor Mohammed acknowledged the impact of the defections but expressed optimism. “This is democracy. Yes, people leave. But this challenge is forcing us to reflect, regroup, and come back stronger,” he said.

He added that the reconciliation team will also draw on the experience of former governors and national leaders to rebuild trust within the party and assure supporters that the PDP remains a viable platform for national leadership.

“This effort is not just about patching things up; it’s about reimagining how we work together. We believe Saraki’s leadership and political depth will be critical to that healing process,” Mohammed noted.

He also pointed out that the committee will begin engagements immediately, with the goal of preventing further implosions and ensuring a smooth transition into the next phase of the party's leadership structure.

While refusing to disclose all matters discussed during the closed-door meeting, Governor Mohammed did hint at legal battles and internal disputes weighing on the party.

“We’re not here to sweep things under the rug,” he said. “Yes, there are court cases. Yes, there are hard feelings. But we are confronting them directly. The APC may not be innocent in all of this, but our focus now is internal rebuilding.”

The PDP now faces a crucial test: can it reconcile fast enough to present a unified front in 2027? With Saraki at the helm of this reconciliation drive, all eyes are on the party’s next moves — and whether unity can triumph over long-simmering division.


By WafricNews Politics Desk.