The current crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has become increasingly complex, highlighted by a stark statement from former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. He claimed that a significant faction of PDP governors would rather support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) than their own party’s former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. This assertion underscores the growing divisions within the party.
Fayose characterized Atiku’s proposed coalition as a “dead horse.” He argued that the sentiments expressed during the PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, signaled a definitive break from Atiku’s leadership.
Fayose stated: “The coalition is a dead horse ab initio. Tell me one positive person that has given his words in support of this coalition.” He elaborated further, asserting: “The governors’ stance in Ibadan is to tell Atiku that we are not with you, we are going nowhere, we have our own identity.”
He criticized the coalition efforts as mere illusions, saying, “That coalition is just the imagination of people trying to bring it to fruition. It’s a waste of time. The governors are fighting for their own survival, and they don’t need an Atiku to fight for their survival.” He went on to claim: “In actual fact, most of them prefer a Tinubu for their survival than an Atiku. Don’t let us deceive and fool ourselves; there is nothing called coalition. Obi can’t go to Atiku; Atiku can’t go to Obi.”
Fayose also highlighted the exodus of party members from the PDP, stating, “You see the rate at which people are decamping from PDP. How many people are defecting from APC? Something is fundamentally wrong in PDP that needs to be fixed.” This commentary reflects the wider unrest within the party and the challenges it faces in uniting its factions as political alignments shift.
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria has been a significant topic, particularly in the lead-up to elections. One of the central issues has been the rift involving Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the group of five governors known as the “G5,” who have expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership and direction. Here are some key points regarding the situation:
- The crisis within the PDP has been on prior to 2023 after the party’s presidential primaries, which led to the nomination of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections. Some party members, particularly from the Southern region, felt marginalized and believed that the presidency should rotate to the South.
- The G5 Governors: The G5 consisted of Wike and four other governors: Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). They sought a change in the party’s leadership and called for the resignation of the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, demanding that the position be filled by someone from the Southern region.
- The PDP Governors forum has recently dismissed the possibility of joining a coalition with other party especially one spearheaded by Atiku.
- Wike’s Influence: Wike emerged as a prominent figure in the crisis, leveraging his position and influence to challenge the party’s status quo. He became a vocal critic of the party’s handling of internal affairs and was seen again as a key determinant of the party’s chances in the upcoming elections 2027.
- Impacts on Elections: The divisions within the PDP, largely fueled by the actions of Wike and the G5 governors then resulted into the failure of the party to win the 2023 presidential election. This political pundits observed could repeat itself in 2027 if the PDP fail to put it’s fractured house in order
