How presidential ticket, APC started PDP’s crisis – Momodu
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has traced the root of the party’s ongoing crisis to unresolved grievances from the 2022 primaries and alleged interference by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, Momodu, who was a contender for the PDP’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 elections, explained that the internal rift began after the former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, lost the party’s presidential primary to Atiku Abubakar and was not selected as his running mate.
“The crisis started from when the then-Governor Wike lost to Atiku Abubakar in the primary and the bid for the running mate,” Momodu said.
“And when I say moved, I’m not talking about physically, but maybe spiritually; he is within the APC today. However, he is yet to find the courage to physically join APC because he knows he would not be able to wield the kind of power he wielded in PDP. Right now, where his friends are holding sway, he is empowering them and encouraging them to keep PDP under the water.”
Momodu further alleged that external forces, particularly the APC, are orchestrating crises within opposition parties to consolidate power and push Nigeria toward a one-party state.
“Nigeria is obviously moving in the direction of a one-party state. The ruling party, APC, is so scared of opposition that right now crises are being orchestrated from party to party, especially the leading opposition parties like PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP. It’s obvious what is going on,” he claimed.
He dismissed allegations that the PDP’s troubles stem from internal incompetence, lack of direction, or unity. Instead, he argued that the ruling party’s influence has significantly contributed to the PDP’s woes.
“No, if you have a government that is wielding all its state power against the opposition, what will you do? Wike would not be that powerful if he did not have the backing of the ruling government. Even Tinubu knows that. The tragedy of it for me is that I have never envisaged a day when Nigeria will come under a civilian administration that will make it very difficult for opposition to thrive,” he stated.
When asked about the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections, Momodu expressed skepticism about the PDP’s readiness and criticized the National Working Committee (NWC).
“I’m not worried about members that are adopted. That would be the decision of the members of the party, if the party survives till then. But from what I’m seeing right now, I don’t think they are ready, especially our NWC. They are not ready. I won’t be surprised if they announce that they are not interested in contesting the presidency in 2027,” he said.
