A founding member of the All Progressives Congress, Osita Okechukwu, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party to acknowledge its role in the recent mass defection of state governors. He said the PDP’s leadership should accept blame for the defections, which he described as a consequence of the party’s “impunity” and breach of its own zoning convention during the 2022 presidential primary.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Okechukwu referenced his earlier warnings to the PDP as a spokesperson for the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties. He had cautioned the party against allowing certain individuals, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to disregard the zoning convention. According to Okechukwu, the PDP’s failure to adhere to its own constitution has led to the current situation, where several governors have defected to the APC. He argued that the defections result from the PDP’s “callous negligence” of its principles, including the zoning convention that was meant to promote unity and fairness within the party.
Okechukwu questioned how the PDP leadership permitted Atiku to become the party’s flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election, despite having benefited from the zoning convention in 2019. He emphasized that the PDP should focus on introspection and moral contrition rather than blaming others for its predicament. He suggested that the party’s leaders acknowledge their role in the defections and work toward reform.
Rather than apportioning blame to the defected governors or the APC, Okechukwu advised the PDP to undergo a “house cleaning” and start anew. The recent defections have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape, especially as future elections approach. As the PDP navigates this challenging period, its response to Okechukwu’s criticisms and its ability to address internal contradictions will be crucial for its future prospects and relevance in Nigerian politics.
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