Concerns Raised Over Calls for Reinstatement of Defectors in PDP
Senator Ibrahim Tshauri, the former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has voiced strong criticism against Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike’s recent suggestion to reinstate party members who left during a turbulent period within the organization. Tshauri cautioned that such proposals should be approached with careful consideration.
During a media event in Abuja, Wike stated that the party has moved past its internal conflicts and is now ready to welcome back former members. He indicated that some defectors are reportedly interested in returning, drawing attention to the successful rally organized by factions aligned with him in Abuja.
In response to media inquiries, Wike commented, “As far as I know, the Games are over. People are pouring in. I can say the doors are open. Yes, we were in a crisis. Now the crisis is over. Do we still have to close the doors? No, of course not.”
Wike emphasized that politics should not be viewed as a zero-sum game, comparing it to football. He stressed the importance of reconciliation, stating, “We’ve had our differences, but if we’re really sincere, there’s nothing left. We can do it together and move the party forward.”
Echoing this sentiment, House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda has encouraged former PDP members, particularly those who served with him in Parliament, to return to the party. He argued that the reasons behind their departures have dissipated. “The main reason for leaving the PDP was the fear of the unknown, but now that that fear has subsided, the PDP has once again become a reliable platform to contest elections. I encourage them to return home,” he stated in an interview.
However, Tshauri proposed that Wike’s call for reconciliation appears untimely and insincere, asserting that the PDP continues to struggle with significant factional divisions and lacks coherent leadership. “All the right-thinking members of the PDP are not going anywhere. If he (Wike) says ‘back to the PDP,’ which PDP? If there are no factions in the PDP, what will be the fate of the National Working Committee led by Tanim Turaki?” he questioned.
He further cast doubt on the integrity of Wike’s claims, pointing to ongoing legal battles that highlight the party’s fractured state. “PDP has no leadership because the judgment of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal is still awaited. If the case is in court, don’t brag; wait for the outcome. The Wike-led faction of the PDP is not the national leader of the PDP, but the factional leader,” Tshauri asserted.
Tshauri also accused Wike’s camp of compromising the party’s fundamental goals by aligning with outside political forces in anticipation of the 2027 elections. He warned that if the Supreme Court were to invalidate the Ibadan convention and uphold the Abuja convention, the party would need to reassess its strategy. Tshauri pointed out, “They are rooting for Bola Tinubu. If you are serious about your party, you have to field your own candidate. No one in the PDP is saying that Tinubu will be their candidate.”
The ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP, which has escalated since the 2023 general elections, has laid bare the deep divisions over control, strategic direction, and preparations for 2027. A power struggle continues between factions, including Wike’s group and other senior party members advocating for broader reconciliation and stability.
This schism has been exacerbated by conflicting views on the national working committee’s composition, zoning, and election strategies. Internal dialogue efforts have repeatedly failed, resulting in separate factions pursuing divergent paths and claims to legitimacy.
Most recently, two factions conducted parallel national conventions in Ibadan and Abuja, each asserting its own leadership structure. The Abuja assembly, aligned with Wike’s faction, named Abdulrahman Mohammed as national chairman, a move met with rejection by the opposition, led by Tanim Turaki. Legal challenges are currently underway, with party officials awaiting a definitive Supreme Court ruling regarding the legitimacy of both factions and their conventions.
As the PDP grapples with these significant legal and organizational challenges, the outcome of these disputes is increasingly viewed as critical for the party’s future, particularly with the approaching 2027 elections amid ongoing defections and internal strife.
