In a heated meeting in Abuja, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed over who is responsible for the internal crisis in the party that has been going on since the presidential primaries that preceded the last general election.
Nigeria’s main opposition party, the PDP, has been embroiled in infighting since a contentious primary election. Intra-party conflict is widely blamed for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s defeat in the general election.
Speaking at a conference entitled “Fix PDP, Fix Nigeria” held in Abuja on Tuesday, Hon Johnson said: House of Representatives member Ikenga Ugotinyere has pointed to the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as a key figure responsible for the PDP crisis.
Mr Ugochinyere also criticized the acting national chairman of the PDP, Mr Amb. Umar Damagum, who contributed to the collapse of the party.
“When I arrived here, I saw a theme of ‘fix PDP, fix Nigeria’, which is great. But before we fix Nigeria, we need to start with the leadership struggle and fix ourselves. We have to,” Ugochiniere said. “We cannot ignore the truth. If we do not address these domestic issues, the public will continue to laugh at us.”
He added: “What is Mr. Damagum still doing as the party’s national chairman?” As for Wike, he is currently running errands for APC. We know where his loyalties lie. ”
The lawmaker further added, “As with the fundamental responsibilities of the Constitution, Articles 45 and 47, this is a tradition that we have maintained for many years. We find it difficult to tell the truth. What is Damagum still doing? And as the National Chairman of the party, I ask you here and now. So let’s stop with Wike. So we already know where he belongs.”
In contrast, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, placed the blame for the crisis squarely on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Abdullahi argued that Atiku’s actions have deepened the rift within the party and that the current National Working Committee (NWC) must combat this rift.
“We have inherited these problems. We are not in Wike’s pocket as some have claimed. He played a significant role in the inauguration of the Buhari government, and then re-emerged in contention on the eve of the election, despite rallying behind him. His indifference to threats from five governors has weakened the party,” Abdullahi said.
He went on to accuse Mr. Atiku and former party chairman Illorcia Ayu of working against the interests of the party.
“The problems we are dealing with today were not created by this NWC, but inherited from those who failed to address them in the past,” Abdullahi said.
The escalating blame game within the PDP highlights the deep rifts that continue to plague the party and raises concerns about its ability to bounce back and reposition itself in the run-up to future elections.
