By Achile Danjuma
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has called on former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who left during the party’s peak leadership crisis to return, emphasizing that their experience and commitment are essential to the party’s rebuilding process.
Speaking during the inauguration of the PDP National Convention Committee in Abuja on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the party needs the institutional memory and dedication of its estranged members to reclaim its rightful place in national affairs.
The senator expressed optimism that the convention marks a turning point for the party, which she noted had seen its Senate representation drop from 37 to six lawmakers due to internal turmoil.
“When I asked colleagues why they left, they mentioned internal disputes,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “I’m saying to them: trust me, it’s not greener on the other side. You’re welcome back to PDP.”
The event also featured remarks from the Chairman of the Convention Committee and former Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, who described the gathering as “consequential” and a “moment of truth.”
Ikpeazu acknowledged the party’s internal challenges and ongoing legal battles but noted that the appellate court’s affirmation of the National Caretaker Working Committee presents a fresh opportunity for renewal.
“What PDP needs is honest reconciliation, rooted in truth, driven by sincerity, and sustained by mutual respect,” Ikpeazu said, urging members to move beyond divisions.
The committee’s mandate is to deliver a smooth and transparent convention that will produce a credible National Working Committee capable of repositioning the PDP for a successful outing in the 2027 elections.