*Saraki To Chair Reconciliation Committee Ahead Of NEC Meeting
THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, made a surprise appearance at a high-stakes PDP stakeholders meeting held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Sunday, May 11.
His unexpected appearance was his first in months following tensions and defections rocking the party and his central role in the political crisis in his state.
His presence threw confusion in the campt of his political opponents, given his role in the formation of the G5 faction and his continued romance with the APC-led federal government, which has raised questions about his loyalty to the PDP and fueled spculations about his possible defection.
But on Sunday, Wike sat among his former and current colleagues, making many observers to wonder whether it was part of reconciliation of restrategising ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, chaired by Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Goveronors Forum, Bala Mohammed, was attended by six serving governors and scores of former governors, including Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Ademola Adeleke (Osun); Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau); Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa); Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who has confirmed his possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), neither attended nor sent a representive, just like Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who has already left the fold to join APC.
Wike arrived at the venue about 9.23pm, while his G5 allies, former governors Sam Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), were already seated with other stakeholders.
The fifth member of the camp, Makinde, remains a bridge between both camps.
The meeting was also attended by acting National Chairman, Iliya Damagum; members of the National Working Committee (NWC); former governors Bukola Saraki Kwara); Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna); Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) among others.
Though details of discussions at the closed-door session have not been made public, but it was gathered that isues, such as strategies to stem the gale of defections, repositioning of the party ahead of the next elections and resolution of existing internal disputes, were looked at.
However, speaking at the end of the meeting, Mohammed said it was convened ahead of the party’s scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled to hold at the end of May.
The governor disclosed that the invitation of former governors was done to tap from their experiences in a bid to resolve some of the internal challenges and prepare the ground for a rancour-free meeting and eventually, a national convention later in the year.
He noted that the recent defection of PDP members would make the party stronger, saying was already strategising to reclaim the states where the governors had left.
Meanwhile, the party was set to inaugurate newly appointed members of its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Monday, May 12, in Abuja.
Its Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, in a document dated May 11, said the inauguration would take place at the NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5.
“With reference to the subject above, please be informed that the PDP Board of Trustees has scheduled the inauguration of its new members.
“The event is set to take place on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the NEC Hall (Ground Floor), PDP National Headquarters.”
At least 85 out of 127 BoT members have been inactive in party affairs and the inauguration is to reenergise the Board in the face of lingering internal crisis.
According to Section 31(5) of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), the BoT serves as the conscience of the party, responsible for maintaining high standards of morality and image, advising on policy direction, mediating disputes and safeguarding party assets.
