In a bid to put an end to the internal squabbles affecting the main opposition party ahead its NEC meeting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum on Sunday night constituted a high-level reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The decision was reached at an expanded meeting of the forum in Abuja, where serving and former PDP governors, as well as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were in attendance.
The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed presided over the meeting. He said the gathering provided a platform for frank discussions around the challenges confronting the party, especially as it prepares for its NEC meeting scheduled for May 27 and an early national convention expected in August
He said, “This was an opportunity to close ranks and make sure there are no ill feelings or misgivings among the leaders of our party,” he told journalists after the meeting.
To this end, we have set up a seven-member committee, headed by His Excellency Dr. Bukola Saraki, to lead reconciliation efforts and ensure a rancour-free NEC and convention.”
Governor Mohammed noted that while the party has faced defections and internal disagreements, such developments were not unusual in a democracy.
“Rather than weaken us, these challenges are bringing us together,” he said, adding that the PDP would work to preserve its stronghold in states with deep-rooted party structures and reclaim lost ground ahead of the next election cycle.
He declined to go into detail on the specific issues discussed, but acknowledged that litigations, interpersonal grievances, and the lingering effects of past crises had been on the agenda.
Saraki, who also served as governor of Kwara State, confirmed his appointment as chairman of the reconciliation committee in a post on social media following the meeting.
“We had a fruitful deliberation on the party’s present challenges and its future,” Saraki said.
“The meeting was well attended, and as part of the decisions taken, a seven-man committee was set up to prepare for a smooth NEC and convention.”
Members of the committee include Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Peter Mbah (Enugu), alongside former governors and senators Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Dankwambo, and Okezie Ikpeazu.
Saraki expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver on its mandate, pledging that the committee would work assiduously to mend fences and reposition the party for unity and electoral competitiveness.
Recall that PDP members have been defecting to APC in droves in recent times
Source – Tribune