A prominent figure in Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced confidence in the party’s ability to recover from a wave of high-profile defections in Akwa Ibom State, while calling for the expulsion of a controversial federal minister and internal reforms to strengthen its future.
Dr. Tom FredFish, Chairman of the PDP Advocate for Peace and Justice (PAPaJ), addressed journalists in Uyo on Monday, asserting that the party remains resilient despite losing state Governor Umo Eno and several lawmakers to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2025. The defections dealt a significant blow to the PDP’s influence in the oil-rich southern state, historically one of its strongholds. FredFish, a longstanding PDP leader, emphasized that dedicated members had already begun efforts to rebuild, stating, “The people remaining in PDP are people of integrity committed to restoring the party to its former strength.”
He acknowledged, however, that the party’s survival hinges on addressing internal divisions and removing individuals he described as “bad eggs” who weaken unity. “These are not true members but members by association,” he asserted, without naming specifics. While expressing disappointment over Governor Eno’s shift to the APC, FredFish indicated the party had moved past the setback, focusing instead on legal and structural measures to curb further defections. He urged the PDP’s Board of Trustees to challenge defecting governors in court, arguing that Nigeria’s constitutional framers likely did not anticipate elected officials switching parties mid-term.
The PDP stalwart reserved his sharpest criticism for Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister and a polarizing figure within the party. FredFish likened Wike to a “cankerworm” intent on destroying the PDP, referencing biblical imagery of destruction. “He has called the PDP all types of bad names but refuses to leave. His agenda is clear—to destabilize us,” he said, demanding Wike’s immediate expulsion. Wike, a former PDP governor of Rivers State, has faced accusations of undermining the party since openly supporting APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, though he retains his PDP membership.
FredFish’s remarks underscore deepening tensions within the PDP as it navigates a turbulent political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. Analysts note that defections of sitting governors—a recurring trend in Nigerian politics—often trigger legal battles over mandates, as candidates are elected under party banners. The PDP’s ability to reconcile factions and enforce discipline, particularly regarding figures like Wike, could prove decisive in determining its capacity to rebound in Akwa Ibom and beyond.
