PDP unity after NEC brings hope as Saraki declares no victor, no vanquished, urging party leaders to rebuild trust and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy
PDP unity after NEC has brought fresh optimism to Nigeria’s political landscape following a successful National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party.
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Former Senate President Bukola Saraki described the gathering as symbolic and historic, emphasising that the party chose peace over division and signalled a strong future.
The 100th NEC meeting, held on Monday, went ahead as scheduled despite earlier disruptions at the PDP National Secretariat involving police operatives.
Party leaders used the moment to reaffirm their commitment to reconciliation and unity.
In a statement personally signed by Saraki after the meeting, he declared, “Today, there was no victor and no vanquished. The winner today is the PDP. Another winner is Nigeria’s democracy because, without a vibrant opposition, democracy dies.”
Saraki praised the maturity displayed by party stakeholders who, according to him, defied expectations of internal collapse.
He said the meeting had the potential to either fracture the party or strengthen it, and that PDP leaders had consciously chosen the latter.
“This evening, our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), successfully concluded the 100th edition of its National Executive Committee meeting,” he said.
“It was a symbolic gathering, as the meeting could have either been the breaking point or the junction to cross the Rubicon and march forward into greater heights. Our esteemed leaders chose the latter.”
Saraki further highlighted the resolve to “jettison our differences and rally together to pursue a common goal,” underscoring the necessity to “rebuild trust that might have been broken” and focus on rebuilding the party.
He also reiterated the PDP’s responsibility to act as Nigeria’s credible alternative, capable of providing competent leadership.
“We all agreed on the need for unity as a way of sending a signal to the entire nation that the PDP can only wax stronger,” he added.
The former Senate President said the party’s discussions were dominated by a spirit of compromise.
“The spirit of give and take dominated our frank discussions,” he noted, expressing hope that this momentum would carry through to the party’s upcoming NEC session on July 23 and the subsequent National Convention.
Saraki, who chairs the PDP’s National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, extended appreciation to party leaders who made personal sacrifices during the deliberations.
He credited them with disproving those who had predicted the party’s demise.
“It is good that we have disappointed the pessimists. I hope that with the outcome of today’s meeting, we have disproved the false propaganda being circulated in some quarters that those of us who chose to remain in PDP are only scheming for the death of the party as opposed to building a strong opposition,” he said.
He emphasised that had there been a hidden agenda, the leaders involved would not have demonstrated such willingness to compromise.
“However, we are determined to make the party a strong opposition, capable of winning the next general election and serving our people better.”
Concluding the statement, Saraki thanked party members across Nigeria and urged everyone to maintain the unity and goodwill achieved during the meeting.
“Once again, I thank all our leaders and the numerous members of this great party for their efforts,” he said.
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The PDP unity after NEC has been interpreted by observers as a critical turning point, one that may reposition the party as a formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
