By, Ezechie Awele- After several years of internal strife, defections, and legal wrangling. The People’s Democratic Party PDPis showing signs of a long awaited resurgence.
What was once a party at the peak of imploding is now gradually steering it’s way back to stability due to the strategic reconciliation effort started by the former Senate president Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
Before may in the year 2025, the PDP was in dissary. The party started loosing members including high profile defections by the Giver or of Delta state Sheriff Oborevwori and his Akwa Ibom associate Umo Bassey Eno. Fears of a factional split loomed large, with whispers of a rival PDP structure gaining popularity.
The southeast zone which was once a citadel, threatened to abandon the party. Legal battles over the position of NationalSecretary further deepened the crisis with three contenders which were; Setonji Koshoed, Senator Sam Anyawu and Sunday Udeh-Okoye, each of them trying to claim the office position.
Despite the chaos, the PDP Governors forum controlled by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, inaugurated an eight member National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee on May 12, 2025. The Committee which was led by the former Senate President Bukola Saraki with three currently serving and five former Governors, they were tasked to resolve the party’s internal disagreement ahead of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which was scheduled on the 27th of May.
The Committee’s decree was clear which were; Reconcile aggrivated members, Consult the Key stakeholders, and ensure a reasonable and peaceful NEC Meeting. But the challenges were formidable.
Few days after the inauguration, more issues disturbed the party, including the exit of Governor Oborevwori and Former Governor Okowa. The leadership dispute over the position of the National Secretary threatened to obstruct any officialgathering, with INEC recognition hanging in the balance.
Than adopting a hardline approach, Saraki and his team advocated for diplomacy and persuasion. He said and I quote ‘let’s not play into the hands of our opponents’ which was repeatedly said emphasising that court cases would only stall the party’s progress. The strategy of the committee was described by an insider as ‘Walking on eggshells’ and it proved effective.
When the southeast zone, was led by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu he insisted on replacing Senator Anyanwu, the Committee then engaged INEC directly. INEC then clarified that Senator Anyanwu alone remained the recognised National Secretary and any communication that isn’t signed by him would be considered invalid. This intervention by INEC helped avert a fresh round of litigation and preserved unity of the party.
The NEC Meeting which was held on May 27th which was feared to be a flash point was the held without any incident. The 102ndNEC Meeting followed suit which defyed the expectations of chaos. Behind the scenes an Important meeting at the Bauchi Governors Lodge in Asokoro brought party leaders together. There, truth was spoken, grievances aired, and a consensus reached, which said further crisis would be mutually destructive.
In a spirit of Compromise, the party confirmed that it’s chairman to serve out his tenure and retired Senator Anyanwu until the National Convention. The NEC also adopted the zoning Committee’s recommendation, led by Governor Douye Diri, to maintain current regional allocations of national offices. Surprisingly, the party dreamt up it’s 2027 presidential ticket to the south, in line with its constitutional commitment to equitable power rotation.
This decision opens the door for key figures like former President Goodluck Jonathan who has not been active in the running of the party and Mr. Peter Obi, who also have been hobnobbing with the ADC to re-engage with the party. The zoning arrangement adopted has also positioned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as a potential contender, while countering the North-South polarisation narrative ahead of the 2027 elections.
For a party that once seemed destined for fragmentation, the PDP’s recent moves signal a cautious but deliberate return to relevance. The upcoming National Convention is now seen as a beacon of hope, a chance to reset, rebuild, and reclaim its place in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket to the South has not only clarified the PDP’s strategic direction, it has also opened the floodgates for renewed interest in the party. Old members who had drifted away, new entrants seeking a credible platform, and returning stalwarts are now gravitating back to the PDP. The message is clear: the party is stable, focused, and ready to compete. This renewed confidence is reverberating across Nigeria’s political landscape.
For the first time in years, current, returning, and intending members of the PDP know exactly what they are signing up for. The party has removed ambiguity about its plans and internal structure. The zoning arrangement has defined the boundaries of ambition, allowing aspirants to position themselves realistically for 2027. In a political climate often clouded by uncertainty, the PDP now offers clarity.
For months, rival parties and disgruntled individuals had peddled the idea that any aspirant running on the PDP platform risked disqualification due to factional disputes. The fear that INEC might reject nomination forms signed by unrecognised officials was weaponised to lure members away. Akwa Ibom Governor cited this very concern when he defected to the APC.
But that narrative has now collapsed. With the party’s internal reconciliation complete and INEC’s recognition of its leadership reaffirmed, aspirants for gubernatorial, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Assembly positions can now contest under the PDP umbrella with full confidence.
The ripple effect is already visible. Speculation is rife that former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, may return to the PDP. Key figures who had migrated to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are also reconsidering their positions. The August 25 NEC meeting at Wadata Plaza saw a notable turnout of previously inactive members, signaling a growing momentum.
To further solidifying its rebirth, PDP has received a draft constitution from its Constitution Amendment Committee. This document is now being circulated among party leaders for input, with expectations high that a final version will be adopted at the upcoming National Convention. The move underscores the party’s commitment to institutional reform and internal democracy.
Truly though PDP is undergoing a transformation and rebranding. The Peace and readiness within the party for the National Convention which is being backed by all necessary endorsements and official communications, which marks a turning point that gives members the reason to celebrate.
The party has proven that it’s not a relic of the past nor a party that’s on life support. It is alive, resilient and increasingly seen as the only strong opposition force capable of challenging the ruling party in 2027. It’s recovery has shattered any illusion of a one-party state, reminding political actors that pluralism remains a corner-store of Nigeria’s democracy.
With Saraki leading the reconciliation and Strategy Committee which successfully concluded it’s assignments the party now looks ahead. The next NEC meeting which is scheduled for October 15th, 2025. The meeting is expected to further consolidate gains and set the stage for the National Convention. For PDP now ‘Hope is no longer a distant dream, but a rising reality’.
