Saraki hails PDP meeting, leads panel for rancour-free NEC, convention

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has described the recent meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders as a “fruitful” step toward resolving internal party challenges and strengthening its future direction ahead of key political milestones.

The high-level meeting, which brought together current and former governors of the PDP, along with members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), was held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. It comes at a critical moment for the opposition party, as it prepares for its National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for May 27, and its much-anticipated national convention.

In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Saraki noted that the deliberations were productive and focused on repositioning the party to reclaim its role as a leading force in Nigerian politics.

“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,” Saraki posted.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the establishment of a seven-man committee tasked with overseeing preparations for a smooth and rancour-free NEC meeting and national convention. Saraki was unanimously selected to lead the committee.

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“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 27 and the forthcoming national convention,” Saraki wrote.

The committee members include: Dr. Bukola Saraki – Committee Chairman and former Senate President; Governor Dauda Lawal – Zamfara State; Governor Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau State; Governor Peter Mbah – Enugu State; Senator Seriake Dickson – Former Governor of Bayelsa State; Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo – Former Governor of Gombe State; Chief Okezie Ikpeazu – Former Governor of Abia State

Expressing his commitment to the task, Saraki stated, “We hope to do our best in delivering on the assignment given to us.”

The formation of the committee is seen as a strategic move to manage internal disagreements, ensure party unity, and build consensus ahead of the PDP’s major gatherings.

With Nigeria’s 2027 general elections looming on the horizon, the PDP is under pressure to resolve internal disputes and present a united front to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Bauchi meeting signals a renewed effort by key PDP stakeholders to realign the party’s leadership structure and strategy in light of recent electoral setbacks and ongoing legal battles in some states.