April 27, (THEWILL) – Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, alongside members of his cabinet, local government chairmen and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, last Wednesday, appears to be the tonic that the major opposition party needed to start looking inwards for solutions to the crisis within.
Although outsiders like presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga have mocked the party over the defection, while former APC North-West Vice-Chairman, Dr Lukman Salihu said it was an expected development giving the prolonged crisis in the party, adding that it would not affect the ongoing party coalition talks, PDP party leaders and elected members have called on the party to use the defection as a wake-up call for a through in-house cleansing.
Elected members, such as Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and media spokesperson for the 2019 presidential candidate of the party, Segun Sowunmi, among other leaders, have urged the party’s leadership to scale up on measures to arrest the drift away of members in the party and sanction those who trade party platform for selfinterest.
According to Ugochinyere, it is time for the party’s leadership to sack those they consider to be saboteurs; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Sunday Anyanwu and acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun.
He condemned the Chairman, Damagun’s reaction to Oborevwori’s statement that God would help the party to overcome its current challenges, asking where was the Chairman when the crisis in the party escalated to its current level to warrant the gale of defections going on in the party. Sowunmi on his own, said it was condemnable for someone of Oborevwori’s calibre to defect “just like that,” without regard for the party and its platform that give him the governorship position, adding that the occurrence should serve as a chance for the party to reinvent itself ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Former President of the Senate, Dr. Saraki has also reacted to the PDP’s misfortune in Delta State, describing it as a temporary setback for the opposition party, giving it the chance to reboot for the greater task ahead.
He said, “I have been inundated with phone calls from leaders and members of our party as well as various youths who have been active in promoting democracy and good governance in our country. Many of the callers want to know what my reaction is to the defection of top PDP leaders in Delta State and its impact on our party. “My view is that those who want to leave the PDP should leave now and let the rest of us who want to stay concentrate on rebuilding the party and refocusing it to play the role of a viable opposition that will provide a better alternative for the good people of Nigeria.
“I am convinced that it is important for all Nigerians to work for the sustenance of democracy. And to sustain democracy, there must be viable choices for people at every point. Also, there must be a viable opposition to keep people’s hope alive and create credible alternatives to keep the government on its toes.
“Those who want to leave the party should go and let those of us remaining have a clear view of who we are talking to and where their political loyalty lies. All we need is for those who want to stay back in PDP to show commitment and we can all work to rebuild the party.” Saraki also warned against having a one-party system in the country. According to him, a country with diverse cultures, languages and traditions cannot afford to head towards such a route.
“A one-party state as being disingenuously designed by some people will not augur well for a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multicultural, multi-religious, and highly diversified society like ours. It is even more dangerous when we eliminate alternatives and make people hopeless.
“Therefore, it is in the interest of Nigeria and the survival of our democracy for the opposition to be vibrant and strong enough with the capacity to replace the ruling party at any point. Thus, my charge to members of our party is that the PDP is merely experiencing a rebirth.
“This development has vindicated the stance of people like me who have decided to remain silent and watch events unfold. I have seen that there was no sincerity with supposed leaders of the opposition. One was not sure of the next person one was talking to,” he stated.
The former Senate president appealed to the party’s supporters and loyalists not to engage in the blame game or go after perceived traitors for the dwindling fortune of the PDP.
“My appeal to PDP members nationwide is that we should know that the sustenance of democracy is not a sprint. Rather, it is a marathon. It is not a knock-out football match series. It is a league. 24 hours is a long time in politics and nobody can predict how the dynamics will evolve in the coming weeks and months, he said, adding that “We should stay strong and focus on strengthening the party. It is not necessary at this point to lament why they left. Our party members should also refrain from blaming our woes on the ruling party. That would be a lazy approach. They are playing politics to win elections. It is our responsibility as party members to ignore their antics and seize the moment and momentum to make our party stronger and better.
“Our numerous party members should know that the PDP is better with fewer members who are loyal, sincere, determined, dedicated, and committed to its ideas, ideals, and progress than to have so many who will identify with us in the afternoon and be romancing the ruling party in the night.
“We still have about two years before the next election. That is a long time in politics. We have enough time to brace up to the challenge. There is nothing that prevents us from getting some governors from the other parties to join our ranks. My appeal to our young party members is that this defection is just a mere challenge to us to further mobilize and put our house in order. Also, our women’s wing should seize the opportunity to help in the rebuilding mission.”
Chairman of the party in Plateau State stated that the party remains unshaken by the defection urging members to take it in their stride, because, “defections are not new in political party processes of this nature.” “The PDP remains the party of our people and for the people. Together, we shall continue to March towards the greater heights of our beloved state. May God bless us all,” he concluded.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
