PDP In Turmoil: Wave Of Defections And Sanctions Threaten Party’s Survival

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with escalating internal strife, as a wave of defections and controversial disciplinary measures cast a shadow over its prospects for the 2027 general elections.

In recent months, prominent figures such as Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori and a federal lawmaker for Ethiope constituency, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). These high-profile exits signal the APC’s growing influence in what were once PDP strongholds in the South-South and South-East regions.

Fueling further speculation, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo State) disclosed during an interview on Channels Television that a PDP governor is in active discussions to join the APC.

“I won’t mention names to avoid embarrassment, but I can assure you that by the next time I appear on this program, a PDP governor will have crossed over to the APC,” Ibrahim confidently stated.

Internal Disciplinary Actions Ignite Controversy

Amid these defections, the Tom Ikimi-led PDP disciplinary committee recently summoned former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and embattled National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu over alleged anti-party activities. However, this move has sparked backlash among party members who accuse the committee of selective enforcement.

Critics question why Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has not been summoned, despite his open defiance of the party during the 2023 presidential election. A senior member of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), speaking anonymously to Vanguard, accused the disciplinary panel of hypocrisy.

“Everyone knows what happened in Rivers State during the 2023 presidential election—Governor Wike openly opposed our candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Why is Ikimi silent on that?” the source questioned.

Defenders of Wike argue that his contributions to the party outweigh his defiance. One NEC member pointed out that Wike was among the few PDP governors who successfully secured all legislative seats at both the state and national levels in 2023.

“Show me any of the critics, even within the PDP Governors’ Forum, who matched that achievement,” the NEC member countered.

PDP National Secretary Fires Back

Reacting to his summons, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu accused certain party factions of deliberately sowing discord to facilitate their own defections.

“Those stirring disunity in the PDP are plotting to destroy the party from within before defecting to rival parties. We are already witnessing this in the National Assembly,” Anyanwu told journalists.

Calls for Unity Amid Growing Fractures

In a bid to quell the rising tensions, Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor urged all factions within the PDP to set aside personal grievances and focus on rebuilding the party.

“This is no longer the time for finger-pointing. Everyone shares some blame—from the BOT chairman who endorsed an opposition governor, to candidates who supported rival party candidates, to NWC members who couldn’t even secure their own polling units,” Osadolor stated.

“We must all come down from our high horses, put pride aside, and rally behind Amb. Illya Damagun’s leadership to restore the PDP to its winning ways,” he concluded.