G5 Crisis Far From Over: Ologbondiyan Warns Of Looming PDP Turmoil

Kola Ologbondiyan, former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has cautioned that the party could soon face another internal crisis concerning the position of its National Chairman.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ologbondiyan emphasized that to prevent further discord ahead of the 2027 elections, the PDP must zone the national chairmanship to the North Central region. Speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, he referenced the turmoil following the 2023 presidential primaries, where Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s candidate. The fallout from that event saw key party leaders, including Nyesom Wike, work against the PDP during the elections.

He warned that mishandling the national chairmanship issue could trigger another round of conflicts within the party. This warning comes as the PDP is already grappling with a leadership dispute over its National Secretary position, with Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu both claiming the role and currently entangled in legal proceedings.

Ologbondiyan stated, “We saw this coming, and anyone within the PDP concerned about the party’s future cannot pretend to be unaware of the potential crisis.”

He added, “I firmly believe, and I speak for the majority in the North Central, that even if for a brief period, the region must be allowed to occupy the office of substantive national chairman. This position was vacated by Senator Iyorchia Ayu, after which Ambassador Ilyasu Damagum assumed the role in an acting capacity, meaning it remains unfilled substantively.”

Ologbondiyan concluded by warning, “Regardless of whether the current executive’s tenure ends in December or earlier, the North Central must be given its due opportunity. Otherwise, the same challenges that birthed the G5 will persist. While it might manifest differently, the records will show that the party acted unjustly towards the North Central at a crucial time.”