The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is intensifying efforts to halt a surge of defections and internal disputes through a reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The committee, formed after a crucial meeting involving serving and former governors alongside the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), aims to address the ongoing leadership turbulence, including the contentious National Secretary position that has remained vacant since December 2024.
The meeting, which took place on Monday, included key figures such as acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN). Sources revealed that the committee’s mandate covers resolving the South-South zonal leadership disputes and stemming defections that have recently seen prominent members like Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defect to the ruling APC, significantly weakening the PDP’s standing ahead of the 2027 elections.
PDP Governors Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed announced Saraki’s leadership of the seven-member reconciliation panel, which also includes governors from Zamfara, Plateau, Enugu, and former governors from Bayelsa, Gombe, and Abia states. A senior party insider described the atmosphere at the meeting as “very tense” but hopeful, noting that “the panel will meet with the PDP governors before the May 27 NEC meeting to brief both serving and former governors and have them speak on what they have achieved.”
In a related development, the committee resolved the National Secretary issue in line with a Supreme Court judgment favoring Samuel Anyanwu, who has since resumed office. However, the PDP’s National Working Committee clarified that Setonji Koshoedo remains the acting National Secretary, underscoring ongoing internal complexities.
Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who has been at the center of intra-party tensions, defended his record during the meeting, asserting his loyalty and denying anti-party activities, challenging critics to provide evidence.
Despite the party’s challenges, including defections by three senators from Kebbi State citing leadership failures, some PDP leaders remain optimistic. NEC member Okechukwu Osuoha likened the crisis to “turbulence” that the party will overcome, while former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri urged detractors to leave, promising a stronger PDP by early 2026.
The Saraki-led committee’s work is seen as critical in preparing the party for the upcoming NEC meeting and national convention, with a South East Zonal Caucus meeting in Enugu expected to finalize decisions on the National Secretary role.
