In a decisive effort to douse the growing tensions threatening the cohesion of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a high-powered delegation of the party’s newly constituted Special Reconciliation Committee stormed Enugu State on Friday for a closed-door meeting with Governor Peter Mbah.
The move is seen as a strategic attempt to address internal grievances and reinforce unity ahead of the party’s forthcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and likely convention.
Leading the delegation was the former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who chairs the Committee. He was accompanied by former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, and former Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo.
The trio met with Governor Mbah at the Enugu Government House, underscoring the urgency and importance of the reconciliation efforts within the party’s hierarchy.
The visit follows a communique issued recently by the PDP South East Zonal Executive Council (ZEC), which demanded the re-nomination of Sunday Udeh-Okoye to complete the tenure of the National Secretary.
The communique issued a veiled ultimatum, suggesting that the zone might reconsider its position within the PDP if its demands were not met—a clear indication of the growing rift within the party’s base in the South East.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Dr. Saraki emphasized the strategic importance of the South East to the PDP’s identity and electoral strength, describing the region as a “bedrock” of the party’s popularity.
“This is the first state we are visiting because we appreciate the importance of the South East in our PDP family,” Saraki said. “As you all know, the South East has played a key role in the strength of our party.”
He continued: “We are here to consult with Governor Mbah, commend him for his leadership both within the state and in the party, and to seek his insights on how we can ensure a smooth, peaceful, and successful convention.”
Saraki described the interaction with Mbah as fruitful and enlightening, noting that the discussions yielded valuable suggestions that would be taken back to the Committee for consideration.
“With this, we can say here in Enugu we laid the foundation for a greater new PDP that is coming,” he stated confidently.
The visit marks a pivotal moment for the PDP as it navigates a critical juncture in its internal politics. With rising calls for inclusivity, regional respect, and structural reforms, the South East has positioned itself as both a loyal stakeholder and a formidable voice demanding acknowledgment.
Governor Mbah, though silent on the details of the discussions, was praised for his developmental strides in Enugu State, which Saraki cited as an example of effective PDP governance in action.
The reconciliation tour is expected to continue across other zones, but the choice of Enugu as the launchpad highlights the centrality of the South East in the party’s recalibration strategy.
As the PDP edges closer to a potential convention, all eyes are now on how well it can mend fences and present a united front capable of reclaiming its place on the national stage.