Saraki-led reconciliation panel saved PDP from collapse, says group

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Renaissance says the reconciliation and strategy committee led by Bukola Saraki, former senate president, saved the party from collapse. 

The committee, whose members include Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa; and Ibrahim Dankwambo, ex-governor of Gombe; was established by the PDP Governors Forum to address wrangling within the party.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Bashir Sulaiman, the group’s convener, commended the committee for its efforts in resolving disputes among aggrieved parties and preventing the crisis from escalating.

“I am very impressed by what Dr Bukola Saraki, the Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, and PDP Governors Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, have done to get the PDP back on track,” the statement reads.

“They were tasked with resolving disputes and preparing the party for its convention, and they have delivered on their objective with precision and dedication.

“Many had predicted that the PDP would collapse under the weight of its internal disagreements. Yet, thanks to Dr Saraki, his Reconciliation Committee, and the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the party has defied those expectations.

“The 100th, 101st, and 102nd NEC meetings were conducted without rancour, and long-standing issues, including the tussle over the National Secretary position, have now been amicably resolved.

“Now that the committees for the convention and the zoning framework are fully in motion, it is clear that when focused and capable leaders join forces around a shared purpose, difficulties are transformed into opportunities to move forward.

“The party is now better positioned to take power back from a government that does not care about the needs of the people.”

The country’s major opposition party has been enmeshed in crisis since the 2023 general election.

Recently, Sunday Udeh-Okoye, Setonji Koshoedo, and Samuel Anyanwu all laid claim to the PDP national secretary position until the party settled for Anyanwu.