In an effort to make amends with its disgruntled members before its National Executive Committee meeting, the PDP has established a committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The Party has been muddled in Internal issues since the national elections in 2023.
This was revealed at the conclusion of a Sunday evening meeting at the Abuja residence of Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was also present during the meeting. He did not, however, address reporters.
Some of the governors present at the meeting included Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Peter Mbah (Enugu). While Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom was missing admidst speculation of an impending move to the ruling APC
Others were former governors of Cross River, Liyel Imoke; Achike Udenwa of Imo; Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia; and Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa.
The meeting was also attended by Ahmed Markafi, a former chairman of the Caretaker Committee; Umar Damagun, the PDP Acting National Chairman; and a few other members of the party’s National Working Committee.
The governor of Bauchi told reporters that the meeting was called in advance of the party’s planned NEC, which has been set for the end of May.
In order to address some internal issues and set the stage for a rancour-free NEC meeting and a national convention later this year, he said, the previous governors were invited in order to draw on their experiences.
When asked about the situation, the governor of Bauchi state stated that the recent defection of PDP members will actually make them stronger.
However, he said that the party was planning to retake several of the states where its governors were located.
The defection of Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta State, and his cabinet to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised worries.
The dispute between Sim Fubara, the previous governor of Rivers State, and his replacement has made the crisis scenario worse.
The crisis has not been resolved despite multiple attempts at mediation by the party leadership, including the PDP Governors’ Forum, the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, and the National Executive Committee.
On April 23, Oborevwori, a former governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa, and other officials from the state joined the APC.
At the National Assembly, three Kebbi lawmakers, Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), joined the ruling party after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Many opposition leaders saw the development as a plot to turn the country into a one-party state