Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was noticeably absent as key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) North East zonal caucus met in Bauchi to discuss reconciliation efforts and strategise for the 2027 elections.

The meeting on Thursday was attended by the three PDP Governors from the region- Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa).

Also in attendance were the PDP Reconciliation Committee, led by former National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlola, senators, House of Representatives members and Assembly members from the zone.

It was observed while other prominent party members who couldn?t attend the event sent representatives, Atiku did not send a representation.

PDP?s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagun, urged party leaders to set aside their differences and focus on unity.

According to him, individual interests could only be achieved if the party remained strong and united.

?Interest is paramount. We are all in politics for various reasons, but the most important thing is that you can only achieve your goals when your political vehicle is strong enough to take you to your destination,? Damagun said.

He reassured members that the party is greater than any individual, stating, ?PDP is a Trojan horse?a tested and trusted party with experienced politicians who have seen it all. We have the capacity to weather any storm.?

Damagun also made it clear that his leadership would not serve the personal agenda of any individual, saying, ?Nobody is above the party.

?We will support and acknowledge our members, but if you go against the party?s interests, we will part ways with you.?

Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors? Forum, called for reconciliation within the party.

He proposed a swap of party positions across different States as ways of fostering unity.

According to him: ?Positions in Gombe will be moved to Bauchi, those in Borno will be shifted to Yobe, and Adamawa?s positions will be reassigned to Taraba, and vice versa.?

He assured members that PDP leaders in the region?including himself, the National Chairman from Yobe, Senator Hassan Dankwambo from Gombe, and Muhammad Imam from Borno?would work to minimise conflicts and reintegrate former members.

The PDP Reconciliation Committee held talks with the three North-East PDP governors and other key stakeholders.

Oyinlola reaffirmed the party?s commitment to resolving internal conflicts and strengthening its position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the objective of the committee was to rebuild a formidable PDP that can effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

?Our mission is to reach out to aggrieved members and mend broken relationships within the party. We believe that if all members set aside their differences, PDP can reclaim power in 2027,? he stated.

Fintiri described the committee?s intervention as timely, given the internal crises within the party.

He stressed that PDP can only regain its leadership position through collective efforts, urging all aggrieved members to embrace reconciliation. (The Nation)

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