PDP crisis intensifies as party leaders clash over accountability

The internal crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), escalated significantly on Tuesday during a conference in Abuja titled “Fix PDP To Fix Nigeria.”

 The party’s leaders publicly clashed over accountability for the persistent issues plaguing the organization, particularly following its defeat by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last general election.

The turmoil began after the controversial presidential primary election, which has left the party fractured and struggling to regain its footing.

At the conference, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives, openly accused key figures, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike and Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum, of being significant obstacles to the party’s recovery.

Ugochinyere stressed the importance of resolving internal conflicts, stating, “Before you fix PDP, you have to fix everything that is internal… We can’t wave it aside. As long as we don’t resolve these issues, the people out there are just laughing at us.”

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Ugochinyere called attention to the party’s constitutional responsibilities, citing Article 45 and 47, and questioned the legitimacy of Damagum’s leadership. He further stated, “Let’s leave Wike out of it.

Wike has taken a job to run an errand for APC. So we already know where he belongs.”

In a sharp rebuttal, Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi shifted the blame towards former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, asserting that the National Working Committee (NWC) under Damagum was not beholden to Wike, as suggested.

Abdullahi contended that the current predicament was a legacy of Atiku’s leadership, claiming, “We inherited the problems we are facing today… Atiku Abubakar succeeded in foisting the worst government on us.

Atiku left the party with all the effort many other people have done, and then he surfaced again and got the ticket.”

The ongoing crisis within the PDP has prompted various factions to accuse one another, further complicating the party’s ability to present a united front against the APC.

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Recently, the House of Representatives Minority Caucus distanced itself from Ugochinyere’s coalition, asserting that it does not represent the views of the caucus.

As the infighting continues, concerns mount regarding the PDP’s capacity to effectively challenge the ruling APC and address Nigeria’s pressing issues. The leadership crisis has ignited intense discussions within the party, with many voices calling for urgent reconciliation efforts to enhance the PDP’s prospects in future elections.

The party’s ongoing struggles underline the critical need for unity and strategic planning if it hopes to reclaim its position as a formidable opposition force in Nigeria’s political landscape.