Positioning and control of structures ahead of the 2027 polls ahead have been identified as the factors responsible for the raging crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A report of the Reconciliation Committee set by the Board of Trustees (BoT) chaired by former President of the Senate, Adulphus Wabara, indicate that there is total lack of trust currently between the Ambassador Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) and the camp of the acting national chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, further making efforts to get to be on the same page almost impossible.

The reconciliation committee, which is chaired by Ambassador Hassan Adamu, had submitted its report to the Wabara-led BoT on Thursday.

A leaked copy sighted by Tribune Online in Abuja, partly notes, “In the course of this assignment, we found out that friction, distrust and lack of sincerity had festered for too long among the key players (governors and NWC members).

“The year 2027 became an issue with regards to who gets what. This affected the smooth running of the party.

The panel observed that as a result of the in-fighting, loyalty shifted to individuals rather than to the party as a body.

Specifically on the November 15 convention, the committee expressed reservations that things might not work out well, considering the disunity in the party, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “is not likely going to monitor the convention”, owing to the many conflicting court decisions delivered on the case.

The committee, therefore proposed that “an all-inclusive Caretaker Committee (CTC) is recommended because a failed convention will incapacitate the tenability of the party to field candidates at all levels nationally.”

To be able to work together, the committee called for the urgent reversal to “status quo”, including lifting the suspensions pronounced by each faction “and all parties brought together for genuine reconciliation.”

The report made further recommendations, “BoT must be given its prime position to be able to mediate and guide processes within the party. On her part, the BoT must be seen to be neutral always.

“The constitution of the party must be amended to accommodate some key issues.

“The intention to grant the Governors’ Forum status of an Organ of the party by constitutional amendment should not be done at this time.

“Above all, the party’s constitution must be upheld always. Party supremacy and discipline is core.

“There is therefore, the need for the BoT, the NWC, the Governors’ Forum, and all official stakeholders to come together and resolve all these issues to allow for a successful, hitch-free convention, going forward.”

Aside from Ambassador Adamu, the committee had Dr Mike Oghiadome as the Secretary.

Other members are Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Zaynab Kure; Chief Ugochukwu Okeke; and Dr Lubna Mohammed-Gusau. (Nigerian Tribune)