Key officials of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) North East zonal caucus met in Bauchi to discuss efforts at reconciliation and plan for the party’s future, especially the 2027 elections, although former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was conspicuously absent.
The three PDP governors from the area, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas, and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, attended the meeting on Thursday.
Senators, members of the House of Representatives, members of the state legislature, and the PDP Reconciliation Committee, headed by former National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola, were also there.
Atiku did not send a delegate, but other high-ranking party members who were unable to attend did. In order to strengthen the party as the primary opposition, the gathering concentrated on settling internal disagreements and discussed important matters, especially the impending PDP Zonal and National Conventions.
During the meeting, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagun, the acting national chairman of the PDP, asked party officials to put aside their disagreements and concentrate on unity.
He emphasized that only if the party remained strong and cohesive could individual goals be realized.
“The most important thing is interest. All of us are involved in politics for different reasons, but the most crucial thing is that you can only accomplish your objectives if your political vehicle is powerful enough to carry you there,” Damagun stated.
“PDP is a Trojan horse a tried and trusted party with experienced politicians who have seen it all,” he said, assuring members that the party is superior to any one person.
We are capable of surviving any storm. “Nobody is above the party,” Damagun added, emphasizing that his leadership will not further any one person’s personal goal. We will acknowledge and encourage our members, but we will cut ties with you if you act contrary to the party’s goals.
Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State and the head of the PDP Governors’ Forum, urged party unity in his speech. He suggested that in order to promote unity, party positions in various states be switched.
According to his proposal, “Gombe positions will be transferred to Bauchi, Borno positions to Yobe, and Adamawa positions to Taraba, and vice versa.”
He gave members his word that the PDP leaders in the area, including Muhammad Imam from Borno, Senator Hassan Dankwambo from Gombe, the National Chairman from Yobe, and himself, would try to reduce tensions and reintegrate former members.
Oyinlola, the head of the Reconciliatory Committee, reiterated the party’s resolve to settle internal disputes and fortify its stance in front of the general elections in 2027.
Rebuilding a strong PDP capable of successfully opposing the ruling All Progressives Congress, or APC, is the committee’s goal, he said. Reaching out to resentful party members and repairing damaged relationships is our goal.
We think the PDP may regain power in 2027 if all members put aside their disagreements,” he said.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State also spoke, describing the committee’s action as appropriate in light of the party’s internal problems.
He urged all resentful members to embrace reconciliation, emphasizing that the PDP can only reclaim its leadership position through teamwork.
Governor Fintiri gave the group his word that the governors would help them accomplish their goals of rapprochement and party building.