Timothy Osadolor, a member of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, discusses the current crisis within the PDP in an interview with Dirisu Yakubu. The crisis culminated last week when National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu stepped aside from his duties.
When asked about the PDP’s performance in the 2023 general elections, Osadolor acknowledged that the outcome was not what the party had hoped for, but he first thanked God for the absence of major incidents that could have caused loss of life or property. He praised the relative peace of the election, even though he described it as “not credible.” According to Osadolor, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) behaved more like an allocator than a neutral body, arbitrarily assigning results to favored candidates. He emphasized that voting is only one phase of an election; the post‑election phase, including the court process, offers a chance for justice. The PDP lost the presidential vote in its strongholds—Edo, Delta, and the entire South‑East (Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, and Abia). While he credited Peter Obi and his movement for eroding PDP support, he also noted that INEC’s role and instances of voter intimidation in the South‑East contributed to the loss.
Regarding the demand from five aggrieved governors for Iyorchia Ayu’s resignation, Osadolor argued that they had no moral justification to call for his removal. He pointed out that the party’s highest organ, the National Executive Committee, had given Ayu a clean bill of health, and that the governors’ demand was an “aberration” driven by personal ambition rather than party interest. Although Ayu stepped aside in compliance with a court order, Osadolor believes the suspension was unlawful, carried out by state actors without constitutional authority. He asserts that Ayu’s democratic credentials and respect for the law will see him return to leadership, and that the party will emerge stronger under his guidance.
On the speculation that Governor Samuel Ortom is fighting back after losing a senatorial bid, Osadolor dismissed the notion. He described Ortom’s tenure as a “classical failure and disappointment,” arguing that Ortom never earned the mandate he sought. According to Osadolor, the PDP is larger than any individual governor or senator; decisions will be made in the party’s best interest, not to serve the whims of Governor Wike or others. He urged the governors to focus on handing over their states to successors rather than meddling in national party affairs.
Umar Damagum has assumed the acting chairmanship in line with the party constitution. Osadolor praised Damagum as a seasoned ambassador who will manage the office effectively until Ayu returns. He cautioned against calls for Ayu’s resignation, noting that many of those demanding it have not delivered victories for the party in their own wards. Osadolor warned against personal attacks and emphasized that internal sabotage, rather than external forces, has weakened the PDP. He concluded that rebuilding the party requires unity and collective effort, not blame‑shifting or grandstanding.
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