The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday convened a crucial meeting.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the meeting aimed at resolving internal discord among party members.
Chosen carefully by the National Working Committee (NWC), a select committee comprising notable individuals, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State Udom Emmanuel, gathered to address the party’s challenges.
Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and Acting National Chairman Umar Damagun presided over the meeting. Damagun welcomed the participants, emphasising the need to analyse the outcomes of the 2023 general election and exchange ideas to fortify the PDP for future endeavours.
“This meeting is a continuation of our previous engagements with national ex officio members, state chairpersons, Board of Trustees members, and National Assembly representatives. The purpose is to foster unity within the party,” Damagun explained.
Initially intended solely for the party’s founding fathers, the conference expanded its scope as the 20th anniversary approached, recognising the contributions of numerous additional individuals who have become integral to the party’s growth.
Furthermore, Damagun urged invited stakeholders to maintain civility in their discourse and to remember that the PDP remains one family, despite occasional disagreements. He emphasised the importance of unity in the face of challenges.
Umar Bature, the National Organizing Secretary, emphasised that the meeting aimed to alleviate tensions stemming from the aftermath of the 2023 elections. Bature acknowledged the party’s belief that Atiku Abubakar had won the election but emphasised that the party would respect the legal process currently underway. The interactive meeting marked the beginning of the reconciliation process.
Bature stated, “In the State House of Assemblies, we have 342 members; we have 116 members in the House of Representatives. These figures indicate the PDP’s potential performance in the upcoming general election. We have 36 senators and 13 governors in the Senate. We remain confident in our ongoing tribunal proceedings in states such as Kaduna, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kaduna, and Sokoto.”
Bature urged committee members not to hastily assign blame to one another, emphasising the need for personal accountability. He requested that each individual outline their own role in the 2023 elections, whether positive or negative, before casting accusations at others. Bature stressed that everyone had a role to play in the party’s journey.
The meeting experienced absences from invited guests, including former Governors Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Ugwuannyi, and Aminu Tambuwal, who failed to attend or provide apologies. Former National Chairman Uche Secondus also expressed regrets for his absence, as he was reportedly out of the country.
Adolphus Wabara, the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) and former Senate President, urged members to exercise caution in their statements, particularly regarding the election petition tribunal.
Distinguished personalities present at the meeting included former Governor of Kaduna State Ahmed Makarfi, former Minister of Police Affairs Maina Waziri, and BoT member Bode George, among others.
