Former Senate President and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has emphasized that the party cannot hold a proper National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting or a successful national convention until it resolves the lingering dispute over the position of National Secretary.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television Friday night, Saraki described the unresolved conflict as a major stumbling block to party cohesion and strategic planning.
“This is a problem that has existed for a while,” Saraki stated. “Before we can have a smooth convention, we must first hold a NEC meeting. And before that, we need to agree on who our secretary is. The issue didn’t start today, but now, we must face it head-on.”
He noted that despite a March 21, 2025 ruling by the Supreme Court affirming Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the authentic National Secretary, the controversy has persisted due to entrenched interests and internal resistance.
Saraki revealed that a recent meeting between the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) helped provide further clarity on the matter.
“Nine out of ten of us at that meeting accepted INEC’s position—that as far as they are concerned, the Secretary of the party remains Sam Anyanwu,” he said.
He dismissed suggestions that the confusion is politically driven, reiterating that the party’s focus must shift from internal divisions to collective unity.
“The world is watching. We have said clearly—there is no personal interest here. We are guided only by what is acceptable under the law,” Saraki affirmed.
The reconciliation committee, chaired by Saraki, has been tasked with restoring internal peace and unity within the party ahead of critical electoral decisions and future conventions.