According to Umar Sani, a PDP chieftain, the party’s influence will not be lessened by the widespread defections that struck Delta State.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the state’s PDP organization defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, according to Naija News.
The PDP’s presidential campaign organization’s 2019 spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday that the party has grown accustomed to betrayals by politicians it has supported to win.
Because many Nigerian politicians have adopted a “survival of the fittest” mentality instead of carrying out their responsibility to provide legitimate administration, the country’s politics have taken on a concerning trend. Even while it provided the means for many politicians to realize their political ambitions, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, has seen a notable surge of defections, he added.
Sani claimed that only the PDP had the national organization necessary to win elections, recalling how other party chieftians had left.
“The PDP is still a strong political organization in spite of its recent election failures. The party has a strong grassroots organization and is present in each of the 774 local government districts in the nation. After examining the majority of the party’s state offices, former INEC Chairman Ephraim Akpata once praised the party’s prompt and effective reaction in fulfilling the registration requirements.
Unfortunately, a large number of politicians who used the PDP to win the support of the people ultimately switched to the All Progressives Congress (APC), betraying both the party that made their ascent possible and the voters who trusted them with the reins of power. Kwankwaso, Nyako, Wamakko, Abdulfatah, Amaechi, Matawalle, Ayade, and Umahi are notable examples of these defectors; they all left the party when their leadership and allegiance were most needed.
In Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, after serving two terms as governor, left the PDP for the APC in pursuit of a senatorial seat. His bid failed, prompting his return to the PDP. The recent defections of Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa did not come as a surprise, as both had long indicated their shifting allegiances through subtle cues and political maneuvering,” he stated.
The former spokesman of former Vice President Namadi Sambo added that 2027 election’s victory would be determined by Nigerians.
“The PDP was founded on principles that prioritize the will of the people over the ambitions of power-driven individuals. While some succumb to coercion, intimidation, or opportunism, the PDP has consistently stood by the principle that sovereignty belongs to the people not to a handful of political elites.
“The 2023 presidential election results in Delta State underscore this point. Despite lacking a formidable structure, the Labour Party emerged victorious in the state, while the PDP struggled to maintain its traditional stronghold, barely managing to secure the governorship.
“Looking ahead to 2027, the political contest will be one between the people and those in power. Efforts to court opposition governors may provide fleeting publicity or short-lived victories, but they are no substitute for genuine, effective governance. A fixation on the 2027 elections, at the expense of serving the public good, may well become the Achilles’ heel of the current political establishment.
“With the 2027 elections still on the horizon, those building coalitions must proceed with caution. Victory will depend not on coercion or cosmetic alliances, but on the power of the people’s will. If a credible, visionary candidate emerges, electoral success is not just possible it is probable,” he added.
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