In this piece, ABDULRAHMAN ZAKARIYAU examines the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, highlighting its damaging impact on the party?s credibility, trust, and future electoral prospects

The aftermath of the 2023 election saw the Peoples Democratic Party, the main opposition party, embroiled in internal conflicts. Leadership disputes, suspensions, and legal battles significantly affected the party?s unity and direction. Tensions escalated after 17 presidential hopefuls announced their candidacies for the 2023 election, each pushing agendas which deepened the party?s divisions.

The situation worsened when former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was defeated by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2022 presidential primary. This defeat caused widespread dissatisfaction, especially among Wike?s supporters as they felt marginalised. The rift grew deeper when Atiku chose former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate, ignoring the recommendation of influential party members like Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, who had supported Wike for the role. This decision split the party further, creating two factions: the Wike-led G5 group and Atiku?s camp.

The G5 faction demanded the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu, the suspended national chairman, as a condition for backing Atiku in the election. However, Atiku?s camp rejected the demand, instead agreeing to the resignation of the Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin. Wike?s faction opposed this decision and held several press conferences to criticise the party?s image and Atiku?s candidacy. As other political parties focused on the election, the PDP?s internal infighting became a significant distraction, contributing to its loss to President Bola Tinubu?s All Progressives Congress. Efforts to reconcile the factions failed, with both sides remaining firm in their positions. Amid this turmoil, the PDP National Working Committee appointed Amb Umar Damagum as the acting national chairman, following a court ruling, following the party?s constitution.

Crisis new dimension

Recently, the crisis within the PDP has deepened. The ongoing conflict between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara is further complicating the situation. Meanwhile, Wike, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and others continue to support Amb. Damagum as the acting national chairman. The North Central Zone also remains firm in demanding the replacement of Ayu. This division has led to splits within key party organs like the National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and the National Executive Committee.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors? Forum, has expressed support for the deputy chairman of the forum, Governor Fubara, to lead the party in Rivers State, a move that has angered the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike. The development sparked a war of words between Bala Mohammed, Wike, the BoT chairman, and former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, thus further denting the party?s image.

Amidst these tensions, the Damagum-led NWC?s refusal to convene the National Executive Council meeting has hindered any substantial discussions on resolving the issues at hand. The 98th NEC meeting, held on April 18, failed to resolve most of the disputes, leading to the approval of the formation of a reconciliation committee led by former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and a disciplinary committee led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Ikimi. The North Central caucus was also tasked with consulting on how to replace the acting national chairman.

The 98th NEC meeting also set the date for the 99th NEC on August 15, but it was postponed several times, first to October 24, then to November 28, 2024, and finally indefinitely. As a result, the PDP Governors? Forum, headed by Bala, had previously directed the NWC to ensure the NEC meeting was held by February at the latest. However, last week, the 99th NEC was scheduled for March 13. Wabara expressed concerns about the delay, stressing that it was eroding the trust of party members.

Further escalating the leadership crisis are ongoing disputes over the National Secretary position. In 2023, the South East zone nominated Sunday Ude-Okoye to replace Anyanwu as National Secretary after he emerged as the party?s candidate for the Imo State governorship election. The South East argued that Anyanwu should step down, leading to controversy. On December 20, 2024, the Appeal Court in Enugu upheld Ude-Okoye?s appointment. The Court of Appeal in Abuja, however, issued a restraining order on January 16, instructing Anyanwu to remain as National Secretary until the Appeal Court rules on the motion for stay on January 27.

The court did not convene, causing the temporary stay granted to Anyanwu to expire on January 27. Despite this, both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu attended the 79th BoT meeting on January 29, 2025, each laying claim to the position. Tensions rose when one of Anyanwu?s supporters attacked Ude-Okoye, leading to a heated argument. Security forces had to step in to restore order at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja.

Although the Governors? Forum and the BoT have recognised Ude-Okoye as the party?s legitimate National Secretary, Wike?s ally, Anyanwu, and his group remain determined to oppose the decision, rejecting the recommendations of both the governors and the trustees.

Ambition driving crisis

As the crisis deepens, former National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim-Tsauri and ex-Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, pointed to the disregard for the PDP Constitution and the personal ambitions of party leaders as the primary cause of the ongoing turmoil in the main opposition party.

Tsauri remarked that if party leaders and members fail to return to and follow the PDP 2017 Constitution as amended, the crisis will not be resolved in the near future.

The former national secretary stated ?The crisis affecting the party can be traced to the non-compliance of its members and leaders with the PDP Constitution. The Constitution exists as a guide to ensure fairness, equity, and justice for all members.

?However, our leaders have consistently acted in complete disregard for the PDP Constitution. The document provides solutions to all potential issues that may arise within the party. Unfortunately, party leaders have often ignored the party?s Constitution.

?They always seek alternative ways to achieve their goals, and when this becomes a repeated occurrence, the constitution begins to catch up with them, which is why there is a crisis in the party.

?If meetings are called according to the constitution, if the NWC meets as prescribed, if the NEC is convened as outlined in the constitution if congresses are held as stated in our guiding document, if appointments are made, committees are formed, elections are conducted, and leaders conduct themselves according to the PDP Constitution, there would be no crisis within the party.

?And even if there were challenges, if leaders still complied with the constitution, the crisis would not be as severe, because the constitution holds the solutions to the PDP?s prolonged crisis.?

Odeyemi, on his part, stated that the personal ambitions of some party leaders led them to ignore the constitution and take extreme actions.

The former Deputy National Publicity Secretary stated, ?The major cause of the PDP crisis is the personal ambition of some key figures within the party. Due to their ambitions, they disregard the constitution and the rights of other party members.

?When this happens, a crisis ensues. Members no longer follow the party Constitution, and there is no respect for party supremacy.

?Leaders appoint and dismiss at will, even compromising processes to suit their agendas, with complete disregard for the PDP Constitution. For the party to survive, members must set their ambitions aside.?

Crisis weakening party

Political analysts have argued that the ongoing crisis is damaging the trust, influence, and future prospects of the PDP in upcoming elections, if not addressed.

Supporting this view, political analyst, Aminu Mohammed, urged the party?s founding fathers and leaders to unite and resolve the issues before it becomes too late.

He stated ?So basically, as the crisis persists, there is every possibility that it will continue to affect the popularity of the party. Those who forget the price of this crisis do so because it is a result of trust deficits among members of the party.

?We know that politicians generally have trust issues, but of course, as this continues, it will continue to diminish the party?s image. Members will not trust one another anymore and, of course, even ordinary Nigerians who are looking up to the opposition parties as an alternative platform will have no choice but to forget about the PDP. The PDP will be seen as a party that is not serious, not organised, and does not have what it takes to govern the country if this crisis is allowed to continue for an extended period.

?So, it is time for the leaders of the party, the stakeholders, the founding fathers ? Atiku, Saraki, David Mark, Bode George, and others ? to sit down, discuss as fathers should, and resolve some issues.

?They need to come up with a resolution that will appeal to both parties. It is not enough for the Reconciliation Committee and the Disciplinary Committee alone to solve the problem. These bigwigs have to step in and help resolve the situation, calm the nerves of aggrieved members, and come up with a resolution that will be a win-win for the members of the party. Until they do this, the crises will remain unresolved.

?And if they are left unresolved, members of the party, candidates of the party, and of course, the chances of the party will continue to diminish in future elections. Nigerians will be discouraged, and many will not even consider the PDP when deciding which candidate to vote for in an elective position.?

?It?s family affair?

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, referred to the crisis as a typical internal family matter that will be resolved in due time.

Ologunagba also stated that Nigerians are longing for the return of the PDP due to the hardships the APC government has imposed on the citizens.

He stated ?This is an organic party. Whatever is going on within the party is expected because it is the most popular political party in Nigeria. It is only in the PDP that you find a member in every household, local government, and ward. And of course, because of the various views and political interests, misunderstandings are likely to arise.

?However, it is not as big as many people are trying to portray it. Whatever is happening in the party is a family matter. We have an internal mechanism that is large enough and effective enough to resolve all the issues. So, this is not going to affect us as a party; rather, it will make us stronger. The mechanism will help reshape all the issues and reconcile any aggrieved members.

?Additionally, the reconciliation committee, as I am aware, is doing a lot. They are going around, speaking to people, reaching out to members and those who are aggrieved, and working to reconcile all the issues within the party. The PDP needs reconciliation, no doubt about it, especially because Nigerians are yearning for the return of the PDP. Given how the All Progressives Congress has impoverished many Nigerians, created economic hardship, and weaponised poverty, Nigerians are looking up to the PDP. We recognise this, and that is why we are doing our best to ensure that we remove the APC from power.

?So, this is just an internal issue, a family affair. We already have an internal mechanism in place that will resolve all these issues gently and quietly within a short period. The party is not in crisis. Rather, we have political disagreements, which are bound to happen in every political party.?

Future in jeopardy

As party leaders continue to work at cross purposes, the crisis in state chapters remains unresolved, and tensions within the NWC deepen over the National Chairman and Secretary. The legality of BoT members is being questioned, while NEC members take sides. As a result, the PDP?s image continues to diminish.

The party?s ongoing litigation and the failure of both the reconciliation and disciplinary committees to resolve disputes or instil law and order have further jeopardised the already slim chances of the PDP succeeding in future elections.

A clear sign that the party?s popularity is at its lowest ebb is its defeat in the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. Additionally, members? defection from the PDP, particularly by National Assembly lawmakers, to the ruling APC, has further weakened the party?s standing. Political pundits have observed that the crisis-induced division has led to a breakdown of trust among PDP members. Nigerians, who once saw the party as a strong alternative, are growing disillusioned and gradually turning to other options.

Thus, if PDP leaders fail to uphold the principle of party supremacy, adhere to the party?s constitution, strengthen the reward and punishment mechanisms, and resolve internal conflicts, the party is at risk of being further weakened. Furthermore, the crisis that may follow the 2025 National Elective Convention, the 2027 zoning plan, and the presidential primary expected to take place in 2026 could ultimately bury the party and all that remains of it. (The PUNCH)

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