Wike’s Withdrawal From PDP Reconciliation: No Cause For Concern – Saraki

Former Senate President and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Reconciliation panel, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said that the withdrawal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike from the arrangement will not create any setback for the committee.

This is as he stressed that Nigerians, including stakeholders of the PDP, cannot afford to allow the opposition go into oblivion as such a development would see the country evolved into a one-party State dictatorship.

Saraki said the development is just an indication that members of his panel need to do more work and intensify more efforts.

He said that as a mediator he should not be seen reacting to every issue arising from conflicts otherwise in the process of speaking, he may say something that the various parties may misinterpret.

Wike had in a statement on Sunday, announced his withdrawal from the reconciliation efforts, blaming Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State of betrayal and working to ensure that the crisis within the party is not resolved.

The fresh conflict is alleged to be threatening the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP earlier slated for Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Saraki, who spoke through his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, however, assured that he would persuade Wike to rejoin the negotiation process.

According to him; “Even in the first statement issued by Wike, you can see where he referred to his position in the reconciliation committee.”

In the words of Saraki; “The alternative to PDP is a one-party state. The PDP goes beyond party. It is the only legacy party that is remaining. Out of the three parties with which we started this democracy, AD is gone, APP is gone.

“So, this is the only legacy party. Allowing it to die will be a major setback for democracy” he stressed.