Concerned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have begun moves to broker peace between the two factions of the party.
The peace move is said to be in accordance with the formula suggested by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, reports The Nation.
According to party sources, PDP leaders who are interested in averting uncertainties ahead of the 2027 polls have reached out to the factional leaders – Chief Nyesome Wike and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Alhaji Saminu Turaki – to consider the option of withdrawing pending court cases and agree on a new national convention date.
A source, who was privy to the proposed reconciliation deal, said: “The PDP has to return to the Saraki suggestion to restore sanity and survive.”
From the beginning of the protracted crisis, Saraki had urged PDP leaders to manage their affairs in a way that they would not need to resort to litigation.
The former Senate President, who also cautioned against factionalisation, had envisaged that going to court would stall the progress and unity of the party.
Saraki said factions would only play into the hands of the foes plotting the party’s future electoral downfall.
He also advised the gladiators that the leaders should manage the party to get to the National Convention, where they can fix all the issues, review the constitution, and chart the way forward.
Also, a Lagos chieftain of the PDP, who decried the neglect of Saraki’s advice, said party elders were trying to bring the two camps into amity.
He said: “The party leaders did not listen. They pushed the matter until there are resultant court cases and factions. With the litigations, Saraki advised that the best move is to stop the convention and set up a caretaker committee that will be used to resolve all the issues and reconcile the various factions and groups.
“Still, the feuding parties refused to listen, and they went to hold a convention that has now become an exercise in futility. With the decision of the INEC, the PDP has now become a flock of sheep without shepherds, a ship without a captain.”
The party elder added: “The next move is to return to the Saraki formula. As the former governor of Kwara State has counselled, the leaders should not wait for the court to give judgment in any of the cases.
“The party leaders should move among themselves and start talking about resolving the disagreements. I am happy about the latest peace effort.”
