Fresh PDP crisis erupts as governors, BoT disagree with Saraki panel
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently facing further internal crisis that has escalated following the appointment of a reconciliation committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
This committee was established to address ongoing disputes within the party, particularly regarding the contentious position of National Secretary, which has been a source of division among party members since the 2023 elections.
The crisis intensified after a lower court recognized Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary, a decision that was accepted by various factions within the party, including the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the National Working Committee (NWC).
However, Senator Samuel Anyanwu contested this ruling at the Supreme Court, which ultimately dismissed his removal but did not resolve the underlying tensions.
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Following this, PDP governors requested new nominations from the South-East zone, leading to Setonji Koshoedo being appointed as Acting Secretary. Despite these efforts, disagreements persisted over who should hold the official title of National Secretary.
In an attempt to unify the party ahead of critical meetings and upcoming elections, Saraki’s committee was formed.
However, its recent endorsement of Anyanwu’s return as National Secretary has reignited tensions.
The South-East Zonal Caucus, led by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, expressed strong discontent with this decision.
They reaffirmed their support for Udeh-Okoye and threatened to reconsider their commitment to the PDP if their preferences were not respected.
The reaction from various factions within the PDP has been mixed.
Some leaders have criticized Saraki for making decisions without consulting all stakeholders involved in the reconciliation process. A senior PDP leader indicated that many felt undermined by Saraki’s unilateral actions and called for greater respect for regional interests within party dynamics. This sentiment reflects concerns about leadership cohesion and representation within the PDP.
Atiku Abubakar, a prominent figure in the PDP and its 2023 presidential candidate, has publicly supported reconciliation efforts while emphasizing that unity among opposition parties is crucial for Nigeria’s political landscape moving forward.
As tensions rise within the party, there are fears that continued discord could weaken its prospects in upcoming elections. The ongoing disputes over leadership positions may lead to further defections from key members who feel marginalized or unsupported by current party decisions. Recent high-profile defections have already raised alarms about potential losses in electoral strength for the PDP.
The Saraki-led reconciliation committee’s actions have sparked renewed tensions rather than fostering unity among party members.
