For months now, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its leadership have been in the news for mostly the wrong reasons — crisis, allegations, litigations, among others. These crises rocking the PDP are not only affecting the party but also the democratic integrity of the country. AYO AKANO, YUSUF ABDULKADIR, and KINGSLEY ALUMONA sampled the opinions of some Nigerians on this matter. Their views:
Nasir Suleiman
For the PDP to overcome the fracas in the party, its leaders across geo-political zones must come together and dialogue with sincerity of purpose. Failure of the party to do this will continue to hunt the party as a formidable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The supremacy of the party is key to overcoming the crisis. Political gatekeepers have a role to play in settling grievances from who becomes the national chairman and other executives from the national to the ward levels.
Asebieko Blessing
The crisis in the PDP shows some serious problems within the party. Its leaders are fighting over power and not focusing on what matters to the people. This division could turn voters away, especially as the political scene changes. To get back on track, the PDP needs to bring its members together and have open conversations. Its members must put the party’s goals ahead of personal interests. If they do this, they could rebuild trust and strengthen their chances in future elections.
Adeojo Babatope
The way forward for the PDP from the quagmire it has found itself in is for the party to dissolve the entire National Working Committee (NWC) to avoid impeding litigation. After dissolving its NWC, the party could appoint caretakers. If this is not done, the moles in the leadership of the party will hand the party to the ruling party before the 2027 elections.
Francis Egwuatu
The PDP lost the Edo State governorship election because of the feud between Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu, the same way the PDP lost to APC because of the differences among Atiku, Wike and the then party’s national chairman, Ayu. Individual ambitions cannot bring success. Atiku and Wike should now play the big brother role and look for a candidate with the potential to grab the baton from APC. They should also set up a reconciliatory team to woo back members who have defected to other parties. PDP should ensure fairness and equity for it to stand. The party still stands a better chance to win the 2027 election.
Barma Al Munir
As PDP members, we have faced a lot in the past, but the party moved on. Makarfi vs. Ali Shariff, and other crises. We will come out stronger from this crisis and win 2027 by God’s grace. Nigerians are tired of APC. PDP would unite, organise, and retire those who claimed to build Nigeria. Hardship is the name given to Tinubu’s government.
Adio Mubarak
The PDP is struggling at the national level despite its previous standard as the ruling party. Internal divisions, driven by leadership selfishness and greed, have weakened its unity and progress. The 2023 general elections highlighted these issues, as the APC and Bola Tinubu faced not just a PDP candidate but also the PDP factions in other parties. While the PDP performs well in some states, its chances of reclaiming federal leadership appear slim unless it undergoes urgent and genuine restructuring, something crucial for both the party and Nigeria’s future as a democratic country.
Israel Olabode
The PDP crisis is a complex issue with multiple factions and interests in play. The party is severely factionalised and the leadership’s inability to reconcile the ex-Governor Wike’s faction has led to further divisions. The refusal to remove the current national chairman has also caused tension. The crisis has led to concerns about the party’s ability to penetrate key regions in the upcoming elections. The fact that the governors have come together to find common ground is a promising sign. Let us keep our fingers crossed that this newfound unity would translate to a stronger, more cohesive party that can effectively serve the people.
Olaniran Hollalekan
If the PDP wants to move forward, Atiku should forget his ambition and back another candidate from the north. Wike should be persuaded and the party should find a lasting solution to the Rivers State crisis. And the party should welcome new ideas from its members.
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