The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on party members to embrace forgiveness, dialogue, and unity as part of efforts to resolve its lingering internal crisis.
Speaking during the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, urged stakeholders to put aside personal ambition and grievances for the collective good of the party.
“No ambition, grievance, or misunderstanding should ever override the collective interests of the party and the hopes of Nigerians yearning for PDP’s return to national leadership,” Wabara said.
He acknowledged that while the PDP had faced both internal and external challenges—many of them self-inflicted—it had continued to endure because of the strong ideals, resilient structures, and loyalty of millions of Nigerians.
“We must be honest with ourselves: there is still much work to do. Divisions, mistrust, and lingering grievances within our ranks have hampered our progress and blurred our vision,” he said.
Calling on all members—including leaders, elders, youths, and stakeholders—to embrace reconciliation, Wabara emphasized that unity must be pursued not just as a political tactic, but as a moral imperative.
“We must open our hearts to forgive, to dialogue, and to debate. I urge party leaders to initiate a genuine and structural reconciliation process, led by respected elders, to reach out to all aggrieved members,” he added.
Wabara also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, calling on the PDP to remain open to fresh ideas, new members, and all Nigerians who believe in justice, equity, and good governance.
“Nigerians are looking for leadership that listens, that delivers, and that responds. Let this 99th meeting be remembered as a turning point—one where we chose unity over division, hope over despair, and service over self-interest,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, reaffirmed the governors’ loyalty to the party despite ongoing pressures.
“Regardless of intimidation, we will not abandon our mandates. This is not the first time people left PDP and returned. We believe those who defected will come back,” Mohammed said.
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, also assured that the PDP National Caucus would work closely with other party organs to rebuild and revitalize the party.
Dispelling fears of the party’s collapse following a wave of defections, Moro said, “While the defection of senior members may cause a temporary setback, PDP—with its ideals—will remain the party to beat, even in 2027.”
(NAN)