2027:Reconciliation Committee Seeks to Address Internal Wrangling as PDP Meets with Makinde

… As PDP aims to regain lost ground in upcoming elections

… Party unity essential for electoral success, Says Oyinlola

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has initiated an internal reconciliation process in Nigeria, with the view to addressing internal wranglings that have culminated into divisions within the party.

This move comes in the wake of growing concerns regarding party unity ahead of the upcoming elections in different parts of the country.

The PDP national committee met in courtesy with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, at the State Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, on Friday, October 7, to formally convey it’s mission in the state.

In his welcome address, Oyo state Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, who received the PDP National Reconciliatory Committee on behalf of Governor Makinde described the task ahead as an arduous one.

The deputy Governor also stated that the outcome of the committee’s assignment would determine the future of PDP in Nigeria, either to progress from the current quagmire, remain stagnated, or retrogress.

He charged the committee to take the bull by the horn and ensure that issues affecting the party fundamentally are duly addressed and resolved to put the PDP at a more healthy position for future elections.

Barrister Lawal urged all party stakeholders within the PDP to put aside their differences and work cooperatively with the reconciliatory committee to strengthen the party’s position in the country.

Barrister Lawal, who acknowledged the challenges faced by the PDP in recent years, particularly since the return of democracy to Nigeria in 1999, stressing the need for unity of purpose and collective effort to overcome the obstacles before the party.

“On behalf of the Governor Seyi MAKINDE, I want to say welcome to soul State. It is a privileged again that this reconciliation is starting from Oyo State. Whatever is done here would show to other states that the Committee means business.

“You have arduous task at hand and you should not raise this assignment into platitude but take it as important as what anybody can think about because your assignment will determine the future of PDP in Nigeria; whether we will forge ahead or stay stagnant or go backward. The outcome of this assignment would give us one of those three things.

“PDP used to be a very strong political partywhich towered above other parties in Nigeria and in its trajectory of particular foundation laid in the First Republic between 1998, 1999 up to 2015, it was a party to beat. But in 2015, we ran into murky waters, politics of shenanigans and primordial sentiments, which got us into where we are today.

“Before now, we were in control of 28 states but today, we are struggling with 12 states. So, if we look forward to winning elections, we will know clearly that we will struggle hard to win any national election. So, what do we do?

“In my own humble opinion, we have to drop primordial sentiments of tribe, religion, section and embrace unity founded on principles. What has happened in recent elections, for example in Edo State, we have lost the state to APC. Ondo State we ton is coming very soon but are we still divided or uniting as to go and confront the election win it? I know that with your efforts, we stand the chance of winning Ondo State for PDP.

“You are at the national level and the state level as well and you know the challenges that you confront as NEC members but I know that, if at that level, you give to us a ray of hope that we can move forward and win election, so it will be.

“There are characters at the national level with interests. We are all human beings but within our interests and ambition, there must be a super arrangement that can accommodate and bring our people into line, which is a major assignment for you to come up with.” The deputy governor said.

The National Reconciliatory Committee chaired by former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has attributed the internal rifts within the PDP to various factors, including disputes over personal political interests, aspirations, and party supremacy among others.

During the meeting, chairman of the committee, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola emphasized the importance of unity of purpose within the PDP and cautioned against the inherent danger in going into any election with a divided house, stating that “a united front is essential for electoral success.”

According to the former two term Governor of Osun state, the committee aims to find a lasting solution to the challenges faced by the party through dialogue and negotiation, and to ensure that all stakeholders have a sense of inclusivity.

Barrister Lawal, who lamented the dwindling fortune of the party reiterated that love for the party and its building should override all forms of personal interests and therefore, called on stakeholders and party faithful to be committed to genuine reconciliation for PDP to be better positioned ahead of future elections.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the courtesy visit, Prince Oyinlola assured that the committee composed of highly respected politicians with track records and vast political experiences was determined to carry out effectively the task it was saddled with bearing in mind the enenormity of the responsibility on its shoulders.

“We have taken a very deep and hard look as to why our party, the PDP is where it is today. If you recalled, at the beginning of this democratic system, that’s 1998,1999, PDP had under its control, 28 states out of 36 but today, we’re left with 12.

“The retrogression is alarming and nobody is happy about it, and that’s why this committee has been constituted to dig deep and see what has been responsibile for the this retrogression. In a nutshell, that’s why we’re here.” Oyinlola said.

While appealing to all aggrieved members of the party to sheathe their swords and allow for genuine reconciliation with the party, Oyinlola said, “I know for sure that genuine members of the PDP are not happy about what’s happening to the party.

” I will therefore, want to plead with every member of our party that they should be forthcoming. Let’s forget like the deputy governor said, primordial sentiments, lets put all the cards up, there’s enough room for everybody.

“I feel pained because there are non politicians who are fasting and praying for PDP because it is the only party that has the national spread. Go to any of the 774 local governments in Nigeria, PDP is eminently present and that’s why it has become a very serious concern for everybody in PDP that we shouldn’t be in this situation considering the kind of large followership we enjoy. So, I want to plead that we should lay our cards face up.” Prince Oyinlola added.

Present were the former Governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Dankwambo who is the national secretary of committee, PDP BoT member; Chief Mutiat Ladoja, Former Minister of State for FTC; Chief Jumoke Akinjide, Segun Sowumi Honorably Eddy Olafeso and other members of the committee.