The ongoing reconciliation efforts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued on a significant note as the party’s peace and strategy committee arrived in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Tuesday.
The visit marked a critical step in ongoing consultations aimed at resolving the protracted internal crisis that has plagued the opposition party.
At the forefront of this mission were prominent party stalwarts: the chairman of the reconciliation panel, former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the former Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo. The duo met behind closed doors with Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, at the Government House in Agodi.
This engagement with Governor Makinde was the second of its kind since Dr. Saraki assumed leadership of the reconciliation committee. His appointment was part of broader efforts by the PDP to mediate disputes and reposition the party ahead of upcoming national events, including the proposed national convention and the 2027 general elections.
Insiders revealed that the meeting’s central agenda was to solicit Governor Makinde’s views and recommendations on how best to navigate the leadership impasse currently dividing the party. “Given Governor Makinde’s significant influence within the party structure, it is essential to ensure he is actively involved in the unity process,” a source close to the meeting disclosed.
The same source further confirmed that although the detailed content of their discussions was not made public, the meeting was pivotal to fostering consensus ahead of key PDP meetings.
“The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is scheduled to convene by the end of this month, while the national convention is slated for August in Kano. To move forward, it is imperative that all contending factions are brought together under a single umbrella,” the source added.
Dr. Saraki, in a social media update following the meeting, expressed cautious optimism about the future of the party. On his Facebook page, he wrote: “Thank you, Your Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, for making time to meet with us today—even though it coincided with your wife’s birthday. Warm wishes to Her Excellency, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde. Following today’s meeting, we remain cautiously optimistic as we forge ahead to secure a common position among the leadership of our great party.”
Similarly, Dr. Dankwambo also took to social media to reflect on the visit. In his post, he stated: “I am currently in Oyo State with my brother and friend, Senator (Dr.) Bukola Saraki, meeting with His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, as part of our committee’s efforts to unite our party ahead of the National Convention and, by extension, the 2027 general elections. Our goal is to approach the elections as a united front, and we are committed to achieving this.”
This reconciliation initiative comes on the heels of a controversial resolution by some party stakeholders, who recently met in Abuja under the auspices of former Rivers State Governor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The group, which included members of the influential ‘G5 Governors’ bloc, called for the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket to be zoned to the South in line with the party’s rotation policy.
Minister Wike strongly emphasized that lasting peace in the PDP could only be achieved if its constitutional provisions on power rotation were upheld. He also criticized the manner in which the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was marginalized by certain governors, asserting that such actions undermined the spirit of internal democracy.
In a show of solidarity, the faction that met with Wike endorsed Anyanwu’s continued tenure as National Secretary and reiterated their support for zoning the presidency to the South. This stance has stirred debate within the party, further highlighting the urgency of reconciliation efforts led by the Saraki committee.
As preparations intensify for the NEC meeting and the national convention, the success of the Ibadan dialogue is expected to play a significant role in mending fences and fostering unity. All eyes are now on the PDP leadership to see how effectively it can heal internal divisions and present a cohesive front ahead of future electoral contests.