Four months after announcing its decision to set up a reconciliation team, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has picked a 25-member national reconciliation committee, headed by former Osun State governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as chairman, to reconcile members and mend cracks within its fold.
After its contentious National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in April, the PDP approved the reconstitution of the Party Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committee to ensure its stability.
Oyinlola’s choice to head the reconciliation committee comes against speculations that former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki would head the team, which he had done in the 2023 presidential election.
However, the constitution of the new committee comes as the party conducts its congresses ahead of next month’s NEC meeting, which will decide who emerges as the party’s substantial national chairman.
So far, internal party wranglings in Benue and Kogi States have been prominent, while major defections have taken place in Imo and Abia States.
Besides Oyinlola as chairman and former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, who is secretary of the team, other members are Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Alhaji Bello Tafidan Gusau, High. Chief Ben Ndi Obi, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, Dame Esther Uduehi, Sen. Zainab Kure, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Alhaja Mutia Olayinka Ladoja.
Others are Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu; Rt. Hon. Dr. Boyelayefa Debekeme; Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Chief Dan Ulasi, Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, Otunba Segun Showunmi.
Also on the list are Barr. Amina B.B. Faruk, Alhaji Hamza Akuyan Koshe, Evang. Mike Ikoku, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Comrade Bisi Fakayode, Chief Anicho Okoro, who will serve as the administrative secretary
The national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement announcing the committee, said, “Following the National Executive Committee (NEC) approval for the Constitution of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) of our great party, the National Working Committee (NWC) at this moment has released the list of the members of the National Reconciliation Committee…
“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of the PDP to remain focused and committed to the vision, principles and aspiration of our great Party in the overall interest of the growth, development and stability of the PDP and the nation,” Ologungaba said.
He added that the committee will be inaugurated on a date to be communicated in due course.
