PDP Crisis: Opposition Gradually Playing Into The Hands Of APC 

The notion that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is playing into the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) can be attributed to several factors. One major reason is the PDP’s inability to effectively counter the APC’s narrative and capitalize on the ruling party’s weaknesses. 

The PDP has been criticised for its failure to provide a strong opposition, allowing the APC to dominate the political landscape. This has enabled the APC to control the narrative and dictate the terms of political discourse. Furthermore, the PDP’s internal conflicts and divisions have weakened its ability to present a united front against the APC. 

Another factor is the PDP’s reliance on criticizing the APC’s performance rather than presenting alternative policies and solutions. 

This approach has been seen as reactive rather than proactive, allowing the APC to set the agenda and define the terms of debate. 

It’s also worth noting that the APC has been effective in using its control of government institutions to its advantage, making it difficult for the PDP to gain traction. The APC’s ability to manipulate the political process and use state resources to its benefit has further weakened the PDP’s position. 

While the PDP still has a significant presence in Nigerian politics, its inability to effectively counter the APC’s narrative and capitalize on its weaknesses has allowed the APC to maintain its dominance. The PDP needs to rethink its strategy and present a more unified and proactive front if it hopes to challenge the APC’s control. 

Aside from the above narratives, the internal wrangling in PDP has also contributed majorly to why the opposition party is speedily playing into the hands of APC. Internal wrangling in PDP is causing serious havoc in the party that once dominated the nation’s political space for 16 years. 

Instead of PDP presenting a united front, rethinking its strategy on how to dominate the political space ahead of 2027, the party, which joined the league of opposition in 2015 has set its own house on fire. 

It became worse in 2023 before and after the presidential election, when major stakeholders in the party engaged in a political patricidal battle. The battle between Atiku Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of PDP and Nyesom Wike-led G5 governors ended an opportunity that would have seen PDP coming back to power. 

While the fight between Atiku and the Wike-led G5 was gradually simmering down after the election, the clamour for the removal of Amb. Umar Damagun, the Acting National Chairman of PDP, became the talk that dominated the political space. In the midst of this crisis, the party lost Edo and Ondo states governorship elections. While Edo was initially a PDP controlled state, Ondo was controlled by the APC. 

Instead of reflecting on the loss and thinking of its political future, PDP continued to struggle with serious internal issues. The internal crisis has divided members of the party along interest lines. 

The latest crisis in the party is the dispute over the National Secretary position. Recall that in 2023, the South-East zone of PDP had nominated the former party National Youth Leader, Hon. Sunday Ude-Okoye, to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who was the PDP candidate for the Imo State governorship election. 

This development caused a serious issue between stakeholders in the party and also led to legal battle. On December 20, 2024, Udeh- Okoye got a favourable judgment at the Appeal Court in Enugu, which confirmed him as the new National Secretary of PDP. 

Instead of Udeh-Okoye taking over according to the Appeal Court judgment, the development exacerbated tension in PDP. On January 28, Udeh-Okoye was forcefully removed by Anyanwu’s supporters from a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, which prompted security forces to intervene and restore order. 

The positions of PDP governors and the BoT didn’t help matters in the party, as their decisions to back Udeh-Okoye drew serious criticism from other stakeholders in the party. 

PDP governors, in their meeting in Asaba, Delta State, supported the Court of Appeal’s decision and urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to implement the ruling. 

Infuriated by the governors’ decision, Anyanwu petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), the President of the Appeal Court, the Department of State Services (DSS) among others, drawing their attention to his appeal at the Supreme Court and also intimating them of the danger of implementing the Appeal Court judgment by the PDP NWC. 

“Police is therefore being alerted of the grave dangers that will ensue in the attempt of the NWC to implement the quoted advice of the PDP Governors Forum enshrined in paragraph 3 of their communique. It will be an invitation to chaos and affront to the judiciary and the rule of law especially when the matter is pending before the superior courts for determination. 

“I am by this letter calling on you to take necessary steps to forestall the crises being instigated by the PDP Governors and the sponsors of Ude Okoye. The National Working Committee of PDP should be advised to refrain from any action that will be contrary to the position of the court on this matter. It is my right as a lawful citizen to seek justice against a judgement that was fraudulently secured against me. 

“In the interest of peace, safety of lives and property of innocent Nigerians all parties to this case should be cautioned to conduct themselves in line with the rule of law and decision of the Court of Appeal to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the motion. Anything contrary to this will be vehemently resisted. I still remain the validly elected National Secretary of PDP until the court rules otherwise,” Anyanwu warned in his petition. 

On Wednesday last week, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP led by Sen. Adolphus Wabara, also endorsed Udeh-Okoye, stating that his petition. 

On Wednesday last week, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP led by Sen. Adolphus Wabara, also endorsed Udeh-Okoye, stating that the decision was made after a thorough review of all the issues and documents provided by both Ude-Okoye and Anyanwu. 

According to BoT, “it recognizes Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of the PDP in full obedience to the declaratory Judgment of the High Court of Enugu as also upheld by the Court of Appeal there being no contrary or overriding judgment from any Court of superior jurisdiction. 

“The BoT charges the National Working Committee (NWC) to recognize and immediately swear in Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the National Secretary of the PDP in obedience to the Judgment of the Court of Appeal. 

“The BoT urges all party organs, critical stakeholders, leaders and members across the country as well as all democracy development partners and institutions to be guided by the judgment of the Court of Appeal with regard to the position of the National Secretary of the PDP.” 

While the PDP is battling internal crisis, APC mocked the opposition, describing it as a party that’s not good at managing itself. 

The National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim had said, “Nigeria was still suffering from the rots of the 16-year misrule of the PDP. That party is gone. Are these the clowns people are taking seriously to rule this country again? Believe me, this is just the beginning. We at the APC are enjoying the entertainment. 

“The party is not good at managing anything, including itself. What is happening has shown that God came to the rescue of Nigerians by pushing them out of power. 

“There are more to come if you go into the nitty-gritty of the problems in that party. They should come and learn how to play politics in our APC Progressive Institute set up by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. They will be taught how to play politics without bitterness.” 

In their separate reactions to the fear in some quarters that PDP is gradually playing into the hand of the ruling party ahead of 2027, the Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor and former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan blamed the APC for such fear. 

They said that such a narrative is being pushed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their selfish gain. 

Osadolor said: “I think this narrative has been pushed by those that do not mean Nigeria well. It is possible that APC has a hand in this propaganda. The question is, is it true? The answer is a resounding, no. PDP has done congresses in 28 states so far without rancour, with the exception of Rivers state, which is now currently being addressed. 

“Our candidates in Edo and Ondo off cycle elections surpassed the thinking of the APC led government at the centre, in Edo particularly, APC broke the bank, it was a bazaar, yet Edo people voted overwhelmingly for the PDP, it took collusion of state institutions to temporarily install the APC governor, who is holding sway on borrowed times. 

“It is manifestly evident, Nigerians are tired of insecurity, hunger, joblessness and hopeless days and nights, wrought upon them by the ineptitude if the APC government.” 

He further said: “Why will the PDP play into the hands of a most incompetent party and government, since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914? PDP is resolute in seeing to the evisceration of the APC from the political lexicon and history of Nigeria, with the help of teeming Nigeria voters and the mercy of God, come 2027, this APC you see today, you shall see no more. 

Ologbondiyan on his part said: “It is the APC and its government that is deliberately closing up the political space by supporting friction in the opposition parties.” 

Political watchers have, however, warned that unless the crisis in PDP is nipped in the bud as soon as possible, the APC will have a smooth ride in 2027.