PDP Governors Hold Emergency Talks Over Mass Defections
May 11, 2025
The crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) deepens as internal defections continue to affect its unity.
In a bid to address this growing issue, PDP governors have summoned key party figures,
including former governors, National Assembly leaders, and other significant stakeholders for an emergency meeting in Abuja.
This high-level gathering, expected to take place today (Sunday), aims to strategize on ways to resolve the party’s internal challenges ahead of critical events,
including the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and National Elective Convention.
The ongoing defections within the PDP, especially from key party figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),
have strained the party’s prospects for the 2027 elections.
The situation continues to raise questions about the party’s ability to regain its political footing.
The Rising Tide of Defections
The crisis within the PDP dates back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.
Since then, internal divisions have been exacerbated by infighting, most notably the bitter rivalry between Governor Sim Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
These disputes, coupled with disagreements over the South-South leadership and an unresolved National Secretary position since December 2024,
have sparked a wave of defections from the party.
Numerous PDP leaders, disillusioned by the ongoing crisis, have shifted allegiance to the APC.
The most significant defection occurred on April 23, 2025, when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori,
former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other prominent officials from the state joined the APC, dealing a severe blow to the PDP’s reputation.
Furthermore, the defection of several National Assembly members, including Senators Adamu Aliero,
Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki from Kebbi State, has compounded the party’s woes.
These lawmakers joined the APC after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, signaling the ruling party’s growing influence.
The PDP’s Response to the Defections
The PDP leadership, aware of the urgency to curb further defections, is taking decisive steps to address these issues.
The ongoing emergency talks, spearheaded by the party’s governors,
have brought together influential figures who have historically played pivotal roles within the party.
The primary agenda of the meeting includes formulating strategies to combat defections,
unify party members, and strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting’s key discussions will center on the forthcoming NEC meeting, the National Elective Convention, and the ongoing internal crises.
An insider privy to the meeting’s details confirmed that the gathering would be highly intense, setting the stage for future party engagements.
The PDP leadership hopes to resolve internal divisions and chart a clear path forward.
The Role of PDP Governors in Addressing the Crisis
PDP governors have taken the lead in addressing the party’s challenges.
The Ibadan meeting in April 2025, which involved several governors, was the first step toward resolving the crisis.
Now, with the expanded meeting in Abuja, the party aims to secure the support of former governors
and influential stakeholders to implement the decisions reached in the previous gathering.
Emmanuel Agbo, the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, confirmed the emergency meeting’s importance,
stating that the discussions would focus on implementing key decisions made in Ibadan,
particularly preparing the party for the upcoming National Convention in August 2025.
The party’s leadership is determined to present a united front to the public.
By gaining the buy-in of senior party members, the PDP hopes to restore its image and momentum in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
The Growing Influence of APC on PDP Defections
The rise in defections from the PDP to the APC highlights the growing influence of the ruling party.
Critics have accused President Bola Tinubu of strategically turning Nigeria
into a one-party state by courting PDP members and promising them political rewards.
This has prompted strong reactions from PDP members, who argue that the defections indicate a lack of political ideology within Nigeria’s party system.
Despite the growing defections, PDP members remain hopeful that their party can rebound.
In a recent statement, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba,
emphasized that the ongoing consultations were part of the party’s internal processes to resolve disputes.
He reassured party members that the PDP would emerge stronger from these meetings,
noting that the party’s history of success and leadership would propel it toward victory in 2027.
PDP’s Efforts to Strengthen Its Base
PDP leaders have also called on party members to remain loyal to the party’s ideals despite the defections.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, in his recent remarks,
expressed confidence that the defections were a reflection of the true character of the departing leaders.
He stated that the same forces that drove them out of the PDP would eventually push them out of the APC as well.
Damagum further noted that the 2027 election would offer Nigerians the chance to choose between the current government,
which he accused of being anti-Nigerian, and the PDP, which he claims stands for the people’s interest.
Party officials, including National Working Committee member Umar Bature,
have echoed similar sentiments, predicting a future wave of defections from the APC to the PDP.
Bature encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful, stating, “The defections are nothing. Others will join us too.”
Leadership’s Call for Unity and Forward-Looking Strategies
In an effort to address the leadership vacuum within the party, key figures such as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives,
Kingsley Chinda, have called for political reorientation.
Chinda acknowledged the defection crisis as a setback for the PDP
but emphasized the importance of the party’s upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, 2025.
The NEC, as the highest decision-making body of the PDP, will provide a platform for resolving outstanding issues and creating a more cohesive party structure.
Chinda’s remarks underscored the need for ideological reform within Nigeria’s political system,
suggesting that the nation requires stronger political parties built on clear ideologies rather than opportunistic alliances.
He also stressed that the party must focus on addressing the personal interests that drive political decisions.
Optimism for the Future: The Role of the NEC Meeting
Despite the challenges facing the PDP, party officials like Diran Odeyemi, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary,
and Timothy Osadolor, the Deputy National Youth Leader, remain optimistic about the party’s future.
They believe that the NEC meeting scheduled for May 27 offers a critical opportunity to address and settle the party’s internal disputes.
Odeyemi, a seasoned PDP figure, called on all party members to attend the NEC, which he described as the party’s highest decision-making forum.
He believes that the meeting will mark the beginning of a resolution to the party’s internal crisis.
Osadolor echoed these sentiments, noting that the NEC would focus on important issues,
including the unresolved National Secretary position and the status of recent congresses.
A Call for PDP Members to Stay United
As the party prepares for the NEC meeting, party leaders are urging members to remain committed to the cause.
The resolution of the PDP’s internal challenges, they believe,
will pave the way for a more formidable opposition party capable of challenging the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.
Timothy Osadolor expressed confidence that the PDP would survive its internal challenges.
He emphasized that, despite the party’s struggles, superior leadership and guidance
would ensure that the PDP remained on track to reclaim its position as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.
The upcoming NEC meeting is set to provide clarity on the party’s direction and strategies for the future.
As the PDP confronts its internal crisis head-on, its leadership hopes to restore the party’s unity and strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for the PDP
The PDP’s ongoing crisis and the mass defections to the APC are significant challenges
that the party must confront in order to remain a viable political force in Nigeria.
However, the emergency meeting in Abuja, the upcoming NEC meeting, and continued efforts to address internal divisions show that the PDP is committed to its revival.
By uniting party leaders, securing the support of former governors, and addressing unresolved issues,
the PDP aims to emerge from this crisis stronger and better equipped to contest the 2027 elections.
The road ahead may be difficult, but the party’s commitment to its core values and ideals remains steadfast.
With unity, strategic planning, and strong leadership, the PDP hopes to regain the trust of its members and the Nigerian people in the years to come.
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