RECONCILIATION, RECONSTRUCTION, RESTORATION: DR. PHILLIPS SALAWU OUTLINES BOLD VISION FOR PDP’S RETURN TO POWER

​ABUJA, Nigeria — As the race for the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) intensifies, prominent party stalwart and former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr. Phillips Omeiza Salawu, has formally unveiled a strategic "3-R" policy agenda aimed at reclaiming the party’s historical dominance in Nigerian politics. ​Reporting from the nation’s capital, Vision News examines the credentials and the roadmap of the man positioning himself as the bridge between the PDP’s foundational legacy and its future.

​THE "3-R" BLUEPRINT: A STRATEGY FOR REVIVAL

​Dr. Salawu’s campaign is anchored on three strategic pillars designed to address the internal fractures currently facing the main opposition party: ​Reconciliation: A commitment to mediating between competing interests and factions to forge a unified front. ​Reconstruction: A structural overhaul intended to make the party more competitive and responsive to the evolving Nigerian socio-political landscape. ​Restoration: A goal to return the PDP to its "glorious position" within the power dynamics of the Nigerian state.

​A PROFILE IN ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

​Widely regarded as a "Financial Technocrat," Dr. Salawu brings an exhaustive list of qualifications to the table. His background spans finance, law, and administration, with an academic record that includes the London School of Economics and Ahmadu Bello University. ​His professional portfolio is equally diverse; he is a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Banker, a Stockbroker, and a Barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Supporters argue that this multidisciplinary expertise provides the intellectual "capacity" necessary to navigate the complexities of national power calculus.

​DEEP ROOTS AND INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY

​Unlike an outsider, Dr. Salawu’s history with the PDP dates back to its inception. He served as the party's first National Director of Finance (1998–2002) before his tenure as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State (2003–2012).

​KEY LEADERSHIP ASSETS

​The Salawu camp highlights several "instruments" they believe make him the ideal Chairman to stabilize the party: ASSET	DESCRIPTION
CRISIS MANAGEMENT	As a Chartered Mediator and Conciliator, he intends to use professional dispute resolution to end internal party friction.
LEGAL INTEGRITY	His background as a lawyer is cited as a guarantee that the party’s constitution and the Rule of Law will remain supreme.
INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE	Having been at the National Secretariat since "Day One" in 1998, he possesses the institutional memory required to lead.

THE PATH AHEAD

​As the PDP seeks to consolidate its influence ahead of upcoming electoral cycles, the "3-R" agenda presents a technocratic approach to political management. Dr. Salawu has positioned himself as a "fearless and fair" leader who relies on his "fear of God" to ensure equity and justice for all members.

​Whether this blend of professional rigor and deep-rooted party loyalty will be enough to win over the delegates remains the central question in Abuja’s political circles.

​Vision News Correspondent, Abuja.

February 16, 2026

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