PDP South East Chapter Alleges Federal Government Plot to Disrupt 2027 Election Bid
The South East chapter of Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the federal government of deliberately fostering internal divisions to hinder the opposition party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
Ali Odefa, the PDP’s South East Vice Chairman, made the allegation on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Abia State PDP Caretaker Committee in Enugu. He claimed the ongoing internal disputes are not accidental but a calculated strategy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to weaken the opposition.
“There are people who are bent on destroying PDP. They want us not to participate in the 2027 general elections,” Odefa stated. He urged party members to remain loyal and patient, asserting that the party would resist such efforts.
Odefa expressed confidence in the judiciary to resolve the party’s crises, referring to the courts as the “last hope” for justice. He noted the recent consolidation of all appeals by the Court of Appeal, saying the party expects a favorable judgment.
The newly inaugurated Abia State Caretaker Committee, chaired by Ikegbu Emeka, was tasked with rebuilding the party at the state level. Odefa described the committee’s work as challenging but expressed optimism in its leadership.
Speaking after his inauguration, Chairman Emeka called the moment “defining” for the PDP. He emphasized the need for unity and forgiveness among aggrieved members to reposition the party ahead of the next election cycle. “Our mission is to unite our party,” he said, adding that the committee’s formation signals a renewed effort in Abia State.
The caretaker committee includes Ikegbu Emeka (Chairman), Felix Nwagbara (Secretary), Chief Fidel Chukwuemeka, Engr. Gladys Okoro, Chief Chijindu Kalu, Kelvin Enyi, Mrs. Ugo Kalu, Barr. Obinna Nwaogwugwu, and Samuel Chukwudi Mike. The ceremony was attended by several PDP stakeholders, including South East Zonal Secretary Chief James Ugwu.
The PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant political party, has faced significant internal strife since the 2023 elections, when it lost the presidency to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party’s efforts to resolve leadership disputes through the courts have been a key feature of its recent struggles. The South East chapter’s allegations underscore the heightened political tensions as parties begin early maneuvering for the 2027 polls. The successful reorganization of state chapters like Abia’s is viewed as critical to the PDP’s national recovery strategy.
