Mr Osita Okechukwu, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed his belief that the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should take responsibility for the challenges the party is facing.
This statement was made in response to Senator Adolphus Wabara, the former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP.
Senator Wabara had warned that the ruling APC’s attempt to establish a one-party state in Nigeria would be strongly resisted.
The recent resignation of prominent figures such as former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Chuka Odom, and many others from the PDP further highlights the party’s troubles.
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However, Okechukwu argues that blaming the APC for these issues is misplaced.
He points out that as long as other political parties like Obi’s Labour Party, Kwankwaso’s NNPP, and Wike’s Masquerade continue to welcome defectors from the PDP, there is no valid concern about Nigeria becoming a one-party state.
Okechukwu emphasizes that the blame game played by the PDP’s BoT Chairman is not a solution to the party’s problems. Instead, he urges the PDP to reflect on its internal issues and find ways to address them.
This includes addressing the departures of key figures like Obi and Kwankwaso, as well as resolving the challenges faced by Wike’s Masquerade.
Okechukwu suggests that the PDP should focus on strengthening internal democracy, adhering to zoning conventions, and avoiding planlessness and wastefulness.
Rather than constantly blaming the APC, the PDP should take a critical look at itself and work towards rebuilding the party.
My interpretation of the criticism from our senior political figure is that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) might face difficulties in recovering in August following the ward, Local Government Area (LGA), and State congresses, as well as the national convention.
This is due to their failure from the beginning to engage in a thorough self-reflection to understand the underlying reasons behind the departure of Obi and Kwankwaso, particularly Wike’s Masquerade, which caused a party that prided itself on a 60-year uninterrupted rule to suffer a significant defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
It is evident that the PDP must engage in a process of introspection to rectify its mistakes, rather than simply ignoring the issues within its troubled factions.
