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Leaders and members of the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have continued to trade accusations over who should be held responsible for the ongoing crisis within the party.
The PDP has been embroiled in internal conflict since its presidential primary for the last election, which was won by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. This crisis contributed to the party’s defeat to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.
During a conference titled “Fix PDP to Fix Nigeria” in Abuja, House of Representatives member Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere blamed Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the stalemate in the party.
However, the deputy national publicity secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disagreed with Ugochinyere, instead holding Atiku responsible for the party’s troubles.
Ugochinyere pointed fingers at the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and Wike, accusing them of being central to the party’s issues.
“When I arrived, I saw ‘Fix PDP to Fix Nigeria.’ It’s a fantastic idea. But before you fix Nigeria, you must fix everything internally, starting with the leadership struggle,” Ugochinyere said. “We can’t ignore it. As long as we don’t resolve these issues, the public will continue to laugh at us.”
He further criticised the current leadership’s lack of adherence to constitutional principles, specifically Articles 45 and 47, which have been longstanding traditions in the party.
“What is Damagum still doing as the National Chairman? Wike has taken a job running errands for the APC. So, we already know where he stands,” Ugochinyere added.
On the other hand, Abdullahi argued that the current National Working Committee (NWC), led by Damagum, inherited the party’s problems and that Atiku should bear the blame.
“We inherited these issues. We’re not in Wike’s pocket. Atiku Abubakar foisted the worst government on us in the form of Buhari. Atiku left the party after many others worked hard to keep it together, only to return and secure the presidential ticket again,” Abdullahi said.
He also criticised Atiku’s handling of the crisis, noting that during a crucial time before the election, five governors were threatening the party, and Atiku failed to address the situation with seriousness.
“Aided by (former National Chairman) Ayu, who was working towards a different goal, the problems this NWC faces today are inherited issues,” Abdullahi concluded.
In a related development, a former National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, has identified Wike as a significant threat to Nigeria’s democracy. He warned that Wike’s unchecked excesses could jeopardise the nation’s democratic framework.
In response to the recent local government elections in Rivers State, Secondus expressed concern over Wike’s conduct and that of his supporters before and after the polls, urging authorities to monitor the former governor closely.
In a statement by Ike Abonyi, his media adviser, Secondus highlighted the strategic importance of Rivers State, which hosts critical national assets, and urged President Tinubu to collaborate with Governor Siminalayi Fubara to safeguard these resources by addressing Wike’s ambitions.
The FCT minister is yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
