Opposition MPs Accuse PDP Leadership of Weakening Party Ahead of 2027 Elections

A group of opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) has alleged that several Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), and state chairmen are conspiring to weaken the party by retaining Umar Damagum, the interim national chairman, in office until 2027.

Speaking at a news conference in Akokwa, Imo State, on Sunday, the coalition's spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, accused the PDP leadership of turning the party into a political tool for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He claimed the leadership had forsaken its role as the main opposition, instead engaging in alliances with APC leaders.

Ugochinyere criticized the party for allegedly aligning with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. He stated:

“You have a national chairman and a secretary who in 24 hours are in Nyesom Wike’s bedroom, a minister in the APC government. At a time when Nigeria is facing a serious crisis, our opposition is now in the bedroom of the ruling party.”

The opposition MPs alleged that PDP leaders have intentionally delayed holding a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to prevent the selection of a new national chairman. According to Ugochinyere, the NEC meeting, originally scheduled for August 15 and then postponed to October 24, has been delayed multiple times, with no clear resolution in sight.

“They want Umar Damagum, an imposter of the highest order, to continue to parade as the national chairman and stay in office till 2027 so they can foist on us a weakling that will be presidential candidate,” Ugochinyere alleged.

Ugochinyere further claimed that the party leadership has failed to act in the best interests of the PDP, accusing them of sabotaging the party:

“We have impostors among us, who have no honour and decency. They have decided to kill the political party. The ruling party will be laughing at them now that they want to sabotage their own party.”

The coalition noted that the NEC meeting, most recently set for November 28 to address outstanding issues and introduce a substantive national chairman, was postponed again without a new date being announced