The Ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki has weighed in on the escalating tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), triggered by the recent withdrawal of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from ongoing reconciliation efforts.Wike announced his exit from the peace process in a statement released over the weekend, citing dissatisfaction with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, whom he accused of fueling internal divisions within the party.
The discord threatens to disrupt the upcoming 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27.
In response, Saraki’s spokesperson, Yusuph Olaniyonu, assured the media that efforts are still underway to bring Wike back to the negotiation table. “Wike’s withdrawal isn’t a setback; rather, it highlights the need for us to redouble our efforts and refine our approach,” Olaniyonu stated. He also emphasized that mediators must exercise caution, avoiding reactions that could be misinterpreted amid sensitive negotiations. “Even Wike’s initial statement demonstrated his ongoing engagement in the reconciliation process,” he added.
Saraki expressed concern over the broader implications of the crisis, warning that Nigeria risks losing its democratic diversity if the PDP’s internal strife leads to its collapse. “A one-party state is the only alternative to a thriving multi-party democracy like ours. The PDP is not just a party; it’s a legacy institution. Of the original three parties at the inception of our democracy—AD, APP, and PDP—only the PDP remains. Allowing it to fade would be a significant blow to our democratic progress,” Saraki cautioned.
Sources within the PDP’s National Working Committee revealed to this publication that the ongoing crisis has prompted the party’s Board of Trustees to convene an emergency meeting scheduled for Monday in Abuja. Recognizing the potential damage postponements could inflict on the party’s future stability, the reconciliation committee, led by Saraki, reportedly held a crucial meeting with key stakeholders late Sunday night to strategize on salvaging the situation.