Leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engaged in a heated dispute in Abuja over who is responsible for the ongoing crisis within the party.
The PDP has faced internal strife since the presidential primary of the last election, which contributed to the party’s defeat by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
During a conference titled “Fix PDP To Fix Nigeria” on Tuesday in Abuja, House of Representatives member Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of being a key factor in the party’s turmoil.
However, Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi, disagreed with Ugochinyere and instead blamed former Vice President Atiku for the internal rift.
Ugochinyere pointed to both Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Damagum and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as contributors to the party’s challenges.
“When I was coming, I saw ‘Fix PDP to Fix Nigeria’—a great slogan. But before fixing Nigeria, we need to resolve internal matters, particularly leadership struggles. Without doing so, people outside the party will keep laughing at us,” Ugochinyere remarked.
He emphasized the need for constitutional responsibility, citing Articles 45 and 47, and criticized the reluctance to speak the truth within the party. “What is Damagum still doing as national chairman? Wike has taken a job to work for the APC, so we know where he stands,” Ugochinyere added.
Abdullahi, meanwhile, argued that Atiku was the root of the problems, dismissing claims that the current National Working Committee (NWC) under Damagum is controlled by Wike.
“We inherited these issues. We are not under Wike’s influence. Atiku Abubakar helped bring the worst government under Buhari upon us. He left the party despite the efforts of many, only to return and secure the presidential ticket,” Abdullahi explained.
He criticized Atiku’s handling of internal conflicts, particularly the actions of five governors threatening the party before the election. “Atiku’s casual dismissal of their concerns, along with the questionable role of Ayu, who seemed to have a different agenda, left us dealing with inherited problems,” Abdullahi concluded.
