The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing for a leadership shakeup as it awaits the Supreme Court’s verdict on the 2023 presidential election. Power brokers within the party are realigning and jostling for control.
Two major groups have emerged, one led by supporters of Atiku Abubakar and another loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who are vying for the party’s top position. The central issue for the party is the selection of a national chairman capable of balancing the competing interests within the PDP and bolstering the party’s prospects.
Discussions about a potential mini-convention after the Supreme Court’s verdict are ongoing to reassess the party’s standing post-2023 and possibly change its leadership.
Recent developments include a visit by former Senate President Abubakar Saraki to Nyesom Wike, which is seen as part of the effort to seek a consensus among various groups within the PDP.
Wike and Saraki lost in the PDP presidential primary last year to Atiku. Despite this, Wike and four other governors supported President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general election after advocating for a southern national chairman to replace Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
The recent meeting between Wike and Saraki is part of an effort to unite different factions and shape the party’s future leadership. The group led by Wike wants to retain influence in the PDP and believes that influencing the choice of the next party chairman is key to achieving this.
The meeting between Wike and Saraki is viewed as an initial step in their efforts. More governors and senators aligned with their group are expected to support Saraki and visit him publicly. Saraki is seen as a conciliatory figure, a bridge builder, and a trusted individual with the capacity and resources to rebuild the party.
A source close to Saraki noted that the former Senate President has not yet made a decision regarding the chairmanship. His position is to wait until after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Atiku case. Regardless of the court’s decision, the PDP will need to address leadership issues and reconciliation in the near future.
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