The Peoples Democratic Party’s serving and former Governors’ Reconciliation Committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki held a meeting with members of the party’s National Working Committee on Monday to address the recent wave of defections, the issue of the National Secretary, and other related issues.
Sources revealed that the meeting, which included PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), primarily aimed to address the surge in defections and settle the dispute over the National Secretary position.
Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been mired in internal crises. Tensions escalated following a fallout between Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, compounded by leadership struggles in the South-South zone and the ongoing vacancy of the National Secretary position since December 2024.
Despite intervention efforts by key party bodies — including the NWC, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, and the Governors Forum — attempts at reconciliation have only deepened divisions, causing further fragmentation across state and zonal chapters.
As frustrations grew, several members defected to the All Progressives Congress, with the most significant defection occurring on April 23, when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other influential figures left the PDP. This high-profile shift dealt a significant blow to the party’s public image and weakened its prospects for the 2027 elections.
In response to the crisis, PDP governors convened a meeting with former governors and NWC members on May 11 in Abuja. Following the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, announced that former Senate President Saraki would lead the forum’s reconciliation committee.
Other members of the committee are Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson; former Gombe Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo and former Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
A senior party member, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, told our correspondent that the issue of who should be the party’s National Secretary was postponed for Saraki’s reconciliation panel to address.
The source stated, “The meeting that night was very tense. The issue of the National Secretary was raised but was deferred for Saraki’s committee to revisit and resolve.
“Similarly, Saraki’s panel was also tasked with addressing the South-South zonal leadership dispute, with a view to settling it out of court.
“I am also aware that the acting National Chairman, National Organising Secretary, and Legal Adviser met with Saraki and the Plateau State Governor throughout Monday to develop a strategy to stop or limit defections within the party and to discuss the issue of the National Secretary, which was resolved in line with the Supreme Court judgment in favour of Samuel Anyanwu.
“You know, that was the first time governors and former governors were meeting to discuss party matters. The purpose of the meeting was to address issues frankly, find ways to stop the defections we are currently witnessing, and ease tensions. More meetings are expected to follow.
“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.”
Another senior PDP member, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, told The KUKURUKU that Nyesom Wike cleared his name during the meeting of serving and former governors.
