Peoples Democratic Party Urged To Pursue Reconciliation

The warring camps within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been urged to return to the reconciliation table for the sake of the party’s survival.

A top party source, who spoke with LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity, said the former ruling party needs to revisit suggestions made by former Senate President Bukola Saraki to salvage the party’s crumbling structure.

He said the legal option to resolve the crisis wasn’t the best for the party.

The source spoke against the backdrop of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s rejection of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) which was elected at the Ibadan national convention last November.

Following a series of legal battles ahead of the Ibadan convention, the gathering expelled the camp loyal to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Nyesom Wike over alleged anti-party activities.

While the Wike-led faction has since rejected the expulsion and gone ahead to form parallel structures, the Turaki-led party has insisted that there is no faction within the party.

An attempt by INEC to resolve the party tussle last week failed to yield results as both camps insist on the legal route.

However, reacting to the situation, the party source recalled that Saraki had warned PDP leaders to manage their affairs wisely to avoid court battles, which he predicted would hinder progress and unity.
He recalled that the former Senate president had urged them to avoid factionalisation, saying it would play into the hands of opponents.

Despite the advice, the party pushed ahead with a convention that’s now deemed futile. With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) weighing in, PDP’s leadership crisis deepened.

The source added that Saraki’s formula – setting up a caretaker committee to reconcile factions and resolve issues – is now the best way forward.

“The next move is to return to the Saraki formula. As the former governor of Kwara State has counselled, the leaders should not wait for court to give judgement in any of the cases. The party leaders should move among themselves and start talking about resolving the disagreements.

“Saraki and some others are already talking about bringing the party together,” the source added.