Saraki Rallies PDP Titans to Curb Defections

Amid rising tensions and waves of defections rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a high-level intervention is underway to rescue the embattled party from the brink of collapse ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. At the heart of this political salvage operation is former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who now chairs the PDP Governors’ Reconciliation Committee — a strategic panel mobilising both serving and former governors to arrest the party’s unraveling.

The reconciliation initiative reached a decisive turning point on Monday, when Saraki’s committee met with members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and top party functionaries like National Organising Secretary Umar Bature and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN). Their top agenda: halting defections, resolving the leadership crisis in the South-South zone, and addressing the prolonged impasse over the National Secretary position.


The PDP has been plagued by persistent internal divisions since the 2023 general elections, with cracks widening after the fallout between Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. A leadership vacuum in the South-South and the unresolved dispute over the party’s national secretaryship — vacant since December 2024 — have deepened factionalism.

In a dramatic blow to the party’s fortunes, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in April, signalling a dangerous trend of high-profile exits that has left party loyalists rattled.


In response, the PDP Governors Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, appointed Saraki to head a seven-man reconciliation team on May 11. Other committee members include Governors Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and former Governors Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Dankwambo, and Okezie Ikpeazu.

A source privy to Monday’s intense meeting revealed that the issue of the National Secretary was intentionally deferred for Saraki’s panel to resolve, particularly following the Supreme Court’s ruling in favour of Samuel Anyanwu. “The meeting was tense. They knew a wrong move could fracture the party further,” the source said.


Notably, former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the FCT, used the meeting to defend himself against allegations of anti-party activities during the 2023 elections. He reportedly insisted that he informed party leaders of his ministerial appointment and that he “delivered” for the PDP at the state level more than any other governor. He challenged critics to produce proof of any disloyalty or APC alliance in 2027.


Despite Saraki’s interventions, controversy over the rightful National Secretary lingers. While Anyanwu resumed office recently, the NWC maintains that Setonji Koshoedo remains the acting scribe. A statement by National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, insisted that all nomination forms, including for the upcoming Anambra State governorship poll, were signed by Koshoedo and the acting chairman in line with PDP rules.

However, multiple sources confirmed that the South-East Zonal Caucus, set to meet today in Enugu under Governor Mbah’s leadership, will make a final pronouncement on the secretaryship.


As PDP leaders scramble to stem defections, the stakes have never been higher. Former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam issued a stark warning on Arise TV: “The PDP is in the ICU… if the right medicine is not administered, the party may not survive to 2027.”

In contrast, other party chieftains remain hopeful. PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha described the crisis as “turbulence,” not doom, urging members to prioritise collective interest over personal ambition. Similarly, former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri said those working against the party should exit now to allow loyalists to reposition the PDP.


Despite efforts to hold the line, three influential PDP senators — Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki — formally defected to the APC last week, citing PDP’s failure to offer visionary leadership. Aliero, a founding APC member, said he rejoined the ruling party to better serve his constituents. Abdullahi described the move as “a homecoming,” while Maidoki said the PDP crisis hindered his ability to secure developmental gains for his constituents.


The coming weeks will determine whether Saraki’s reconciliation efforts can halt the defections and restore unity. With the National Executive Committee scheduled to meet on May 27, PDP watchers believe that how the party resolves its leadership questions and unites its warring factions will shape its chances in 2027.