Crises And Option For PDP -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

People Democratic party (PDP), one of the largest political party not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa is experiencing its worst trajectory. Since it defeated in 2015 by APC,the party has been enmeshing in one crises or the other. On 15 November,2025, the party conducted its National convention in Ibadan, Oyo State capital,in which Barrister Tanimu Turaki (SAN), emerged as the National chairman.The National convention came amidst court rulings which barred the party. It can be recalled,the factional leadership which has the support or backing of FCT minister,Nyensom Wike,filed a court case to stop the National convention. One had expected the Ahmadu Fintiri’s National convention committee to simple obey court order and wait for the federal high court to determine the legality of holding the national convention or otherwise. But the committee which had the full support of PDP governors went ahead and organised the National convention despite the court order.

Immediately after he emerged as the National chairman,Tanimu Turaki,wielded a big stick against some big PDP stakeholders which he felt are cog in wheel of the party. In his acceptance speech,Turaki announced the expulsion of Nyensom Wike,Ayo Fayose,Sam Anyanwu and others members from the party. The new national chairman accused them for anti-party and other offences that are detrimental to ideals of the party

Tanimu Turaki ‘s action has indeed stirred the hornet nest and attracted backlash resulting in confrontation on Tuesday. When the newly elected party officials are set to be inaugurated in wadata Plaza,the national headquarter of the party,they met with stiff opposition from the splitter group led by FCT minister, Nyensom Wike. It was a chaos and free for all fight. It took the intervention of police officers who teagased the gathering to dounce tension. In a press brief,both Tanimu Turaki and governor Bala Mohammed, chairman of PDP governors forum,accused Wike for invading the venue of the inauguration with armed thugs to cause mayhem. Governor Bala Mohammed described Wike ‘s action as hooliganism that has come to an end. The frustrated National chairman,Tanimu Turaki, appealed to the US president and international communities to come and save Nigeria’s democracy. While the aftermath of national convention’s fracas was unfortunate,many nigerians saw it coming.
The People Democratic Party (PDP), has never prepared to assume the role of opposition party.

The party is yet to recover from the shock of its 2015 defeat. Besides,some of its founding members or beneficiaries have since left the party to the ruling APC. Some high profile members who can intervene and save the party from recurring crises have maintained a deafening silence or distance themselves from it. Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, who spent eight years as the leader of the party at the eve of 2015 general elections, resigned and torn his membership card. Former President Goodluck Jonathan who suffered defeat in 2015,has continued to show lack of interest in the activities of his former party. Despite its self-inflicted crises arising from refusal to abide by its zoning arrangement in 2015 and 2023 respectively, People Democratic Party (PDP), remains one of the national party with wide spread. Its performance in 2023 general elections in which it won several states and national assembly members attested to the facts.

However, in the last one year,the fortune of the party has continued to nosedive calamitously. The crises-infested party has lost many governors,senators,members house of representative and key stakeholders to the ruling party. No thanks to its leadership crises and the APC desperate move to impose one party state. The collapsing of PDP and other opposition parties will not augur well to the growth and development of our nascent democracy. The intractable crises rocking the Labour party (LP), New Nigerian People Party (NNPP) and PDP are believed to be the handi-work of ruling party. Democracy in multi-ethnic country like Nigeria can function effectively and flourish if there are opposition parties. Opposition parties help to keep ruling party on its toes. They criticise government policies and programmes whenever they pick hole on them .They also serve as an alternative to the ruling party if it performs below expectations.

With the sealing of PDP national secretariat by FCT police command and the multiple legal battles ahead, it is yet uhuru for the party. Is there any options left for PDP to navigate the storm, emerge stronger,play its opposition role and form government at the centre in 2027? The answer is in affirmative. The crises in PDP is not likely to be resolved soon. It will linger, reach 2027 general elections and even beyond.

The Nyensom Wike faction will never bow to pressure and allow peace to reign. With his support and campaign for Tinubu’s reelection, Wike has already taken a definite stand. For Tanimu Turaki and his co-travelers, there is the need for them to explore other options, including joining coalition to play the role of opposition party.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State. 08169056963