The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said the departure of governors offers the party an opportunity to “weed out terrible elements” ahead of the convention.
Greed, selfishness, and covetousness were driving the Governor from the party.
The opposition party maintained that it is not governors who make a political party, but the people, adding that those abandoning the platform that brought them to power would soon regret their actions.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi stated this when he was Guest of Arise TV where he said the wave of defections is motivated by “greed, avarice, and selfishness,” adding that Nigerians will ultimately decide their fate in the 2027 general elections.
The defection of a few governors does not define the party’s fate, Abdullahi said, adding that “it’s not about PDP or APC anymore; it’s APC versus Nigerians. Let them do whatever they can — we’ve seen worse temptations than this
“To the best of my knowledge and that of most Nigerians, you cannot find a compelling reason for a governor, especially one on a second term like in Bayelsa, to abandon the party that produced him,” Abdullahi said. “You can’t find any justifiable reason other than covetousness, greed, and avarice.”
According to Abdullahi, the PDP remains strong in the face of the challenges.
“Our party is in good stead. We have internal issues like every other political party, but we have addressed the major ones that could have afflicted our ability to serve as a credible opposition as we journey towards 2027,” he said.
“These few elements are driven by self-greed and the coercion and temptation of the ruling party,” he said. “Other than that, there’s no reason for their action. To the PDP, it’s good riddance to bad rubbish.”
“Many Nigerians have been asking what could have prompted these defections because the PDP remains in good stead. There’s no rationale other than selfishness and greed,” Abdullahi said.\
Reacting, Governor Peter Mbah’s spokesperson, Dan Nwomeh, said the PDP’s reaction was expected and understandable.
“The governor has made adequate explanation on why he left the PDP; it’s all contained in his speech. We understand the PDP won’t be happy, but we can’t help it,” Nwomeh said. “We can’t remain in a party where our voice doesn’t count. If you leave the PDP, they will find something to say, that’s politics.”
But the PDP has dismissed Mbah’s claims that the South East has been marginalised within the PDP despite supporting the party for 27 years.
from the South East. Each of the states in the region produced a Senate President at one point. They also produced ministers in very notable ministries,” he argued. “There was a time the PDP empowered the South East to the point where names like Okonjo-Iweala emerged globally. So, what exactly is he talking about?”
Abdullahi accused Mbah of failing to participate in party activities.
“For four years that I have been in the PDP, I haven’t seen Peter Mbah attend any NEC or major party meeting in Abuja,” he said. “If you claim the PDP has not provided leadership, as a governor you are the custodian of that leadership in your state. So, if leadership is lacking, it’s an admission of failure on your part.”
Abdullahi also took a swipe at former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, accusing him of diminishing his political stature. “It’s disappointing that a former governor and former member of the National Assembly has reduced himself to a personal assistant, literally carrying bags for a sitting minister. That’s shameless,” he said.
So far four governors — Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu and Douye Diri of Bayelsa have dumped the PDP.
Equally, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, along with their key associates, have left the PDP.
