Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, may have agreed to make concessions to foster unity within the party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

A reliable source told Sunday PUNCH that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented PDP governors in a meeting with Wike in Lagos last week.

According to the source, discussions during the meeting focused on resolving the political crisis in Rivers State involving Wike and the suspended Governor Sim Fubara, as well as addressing concerns related to the South-South zonal leadership, the National Secretary, and other matters to balance the interests of both sides.

Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been battling internal crises.

The situation worsened with the conflict between Governor Sim Fubara and Wike in Rivers State, along with disagreements over the South-South zonal leadership and the unresolved National Secretary position since December 2024.

Attempts by the party?s leadership bodies?the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee, and the PDP Governors Forum ? to mediate have only deepened divisions.

These efforts have led to further splits within state and zonal chapters of the party.

As the crisis drags on, many party leaders have grown disillusioned, with some defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress and blaming the PDP?s unresolved internal issues.

On April 23, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other officials from the state joined the APC.

Their departure has dealt a major blow to the PDP?s image and weakened its chances ahead of the 2027 elections.

A source close to the Oyo State governor revealed that after the Lagos meeting, Makinde agreed to brief fellow governors, while Wike would relay the outcome of the talks to his loyal supporters.

He stated, ?Makinde and Wike met in Lagos, where Makinde represented the PDP governors and Wike attended on behalf of his loyalists.

?During the meeting, Wike expressed concerns about the Governors Forum?s recommendations, claiming they were made without considering party laws. He stated that some of the positions taken by the governors were illegal. The minister also pointed out that despite the Forum?s numerous positions, it has only succeeded in complicating matters rather than resolving them.

?Wike informed Makinde and other PDP leaders that he was unhappy with the Forum?s decisions regarding the National Secretary, South-South Zonal leadership, and the ongoing issues in Rivers State.

?He promised to stay in the PDP but requested that the forum and party leadership reconsider their positions on these issues in accordance with the party?s considering, to ensure peace, unity, and help reposition the party.?

The source stated that Makinde also expressed frustration over how the behaviour of some of the officials involved had worsened the situation.

He said, ?In his response, Makinde also mentioned that the attitude of some officials towards the PDP governors was disrespectful and was not helping the situation. He reassured Wike that no one was trying to embarrass anyone, but rather, everyone was doing their best to reposition the party.

?Makinde promised to brief the governors on or before the forum?s next meeting and assured Wike of his support. They both agreed that concerned members should withdraw the pending litigation and pursue political solutions.

?Additionally, they agreed that the Governors Forum?s decision on issues such as the zonal congress, especially that of the South-South, the Rivers State crisis, the National Secretary position, and other matters should be revisited to accommodate all interests.?

A senior member of the PDP National Working Committee, who chose to remain anonymous, also confirmed that the meeting involving Makinde, Wike, and others was aimed at addressing unresolved matters.

The source said, ?Yes, Wike and Makinde met to resolve some issues, and their resolutions will go a long way in unifying and repositioning the PDP.?

Attempts to reach the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to our correspondent?s calls.

The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed confidence that the meeting, along with others held previously, would reposition the party.

In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Osadolor suggested that PDP leaders were engaged in consultations and taking steps to strengthen the party.

He stated, ?Our leaders are not sleeping; a lot of meetings have taken place and more will take place in the future. The PDP will not only bounce back, but it will also reclaim its rightful place. I am sure you can see the movement taking shape as we speak.

?It is already gaining momentum, and people are beginning to speak out and align themselves with the party. I believe that as the days unfold, we will see that this is truly the party to be a part of.

?At this moment, there is no other party to be in. The other party, APC is like a ship with limited capacity. As more people crowd and overload it, it will either sink or capsize. It?s just a matter of time it?s not a question of if, but when. And that will happen.?

Atiku blamed for party crisis

In a related development, a member of the National Working Committee, who asked not to be identified for fear of victimisation, and a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, blamed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar?s ambitions for the ongoing crisis in the PDP.

They stated that Atiku, the PDP?s presidential candidate in both the 2019 and 2023 elections, had not contributed to the party?s growth over the years.

Instead, his actions had often complicated matters.

The party leaders urged him to publicly declare that he would not contest the 2027 presidential election.

According to the NWC member, some party leaders who believed Atiku had had his fair share in the PDP will persist in opposing the former vice president.

He stated, ?Atiku in the past led five PDP governors and left the party. The party did not die. We came back stronger. From all indications, Atiku?s 2027 ambition is part of what is aggravating the crisis in PDP.

?Even the statement he made when Okowa defected, he shouldn?t have made such statement. Because if you critically look at the statement, it creates an impression that Atiku is also leaving the party soon. His defection doesn?t matter.

?If he continues to push for 2027, those who feel it should go to the South and others who also feel Atiku had had his opportunity will continue to fight him within the party and the crisis will continue.?

Odeyemi, on his part, stated that Atiku had the power to bring peace back to the PDP.

He said, ?This situation in the PDP is demoralising party members nationwide, especially the governors. Some have defected, and there are rumors of more planning to do so.

?Part of the solution is this: Atiku Abubakar should publicly declare his support for the PDP. He must set aside the structures and ambitions that have divided the party.

?Yes, his presidential ambition is contributing to the party?s division. Many are fighting internally because they believe he plans to run again. He holds the key to restoring unity.

?That key lies in setting aside his presidential ambition. Of course, it is his democratic right to contest, but sometimes, when things are falling apart, one must consider the greater good of the party. He should prioritise the party?s survival over personal ambition.?

In response, the former vice president dismissed as absurd any claim that his presidential ambition was the cause of the PDP crisis.

Speaking through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said those blaming him were the ones who triggered the crisis due to their selfish interests.

He said, ?It?s ridiculous to suggest Atiku is the problem. He has never been the problem. If others want to run, they should come forward and face the process. This is a democracy. Let me use an analogy: blaming Atiku is like a son blaming his father for his own failures and hoping for his father?s downfall so he can have a clear path. That?s not right.

?Atiku is not stopping anyone from running. He hasn?t told anyone not to contest. People are simply looking for scapegoats, inventing excuses, and blaming him unfairly. The truth is, some of these individuals created the crisis and are now trying to shift the blame.

?Atiku?s statements after recent defections showed he remains a committed democrat. He has continued engaging stakeholders and seeking solutions behind the scenes. Most of the work he?s doing doesn?t make it into the newspapers. But he?s actively involved in efforts to reposition the party and build coalitions.? (Courtesy of Sunday PUNCH)

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