PDP NEC: Why Saraki’s Committee Was Formed

Indications have emerged on why the Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki committee was constituted after an expanding meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and former governors.
It was gathered that the committee was formed to mediate over the legal implications surrounding the national secretary position which could scuttle the much anticipated May 27 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

Recall that the PDP governors had in the Ibadan meeting directed the deputy national secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to serve as acting national secretary. The governors made the recommendation after they asked Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Hon Sunday Ude-Okoye, who had insisted on the position despite a Supreme Court judgement, to step aside.

However, it was learnt the national secretary issue was brought up at the expanded Abuja meeting where threats of a fresh legal issue arose ahead of the anticipated NEC meeting.

There was also concern about whether or not documents signed by the acting national secretary would be accepted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It was gathered that the Saraki team was set up to interface with the parties involved and find a lasting solution to the national secretary impasse.

Speaking after the meeting, Saraki said “I just left a meeting of the PDP Governors Forum, attended by its serving and former governors, at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge. We had a fruitful deliberation on the party’s present challenges and its future.

“The meeting was well attended. As part of the decisions taken to chart a way forward, the meeting set up a seven-man committee charged with preparing for a rancour-free NEC meeting scheduled for May 27th and the forthcoming national convention.

“The committee is headed by my humble self, and I will have the pleasure of working with my brothers – HE Dauda Lawal, HE Caleb Muftwang, and HE Peter Mba, governors of Zamfara, Plateau and Enugu States respectively.

“Other members are Sen. Seriake Dickson, Sen. Ibrahim Dankwambo, and former governor of Abia State, HE, Chief Okezie Ikpeazu.

“We hope to do our best in delivering on the assignment given to us,” he said.