Politics
PDP Still Formidable Ahead 2027 – Nat’l Youth Leader
The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, made this declaration in an exclusive interview with The Tide source in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasising that the PDP remains a formidable force in Nigerian politics.
Mr Osadolor stated that the party’s recent quietness should not be mistaken for inactivity, but rather seen as a sign of internal harmony and strategic planning.
He highlighted the efforts of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who has been travelling across the country to meet stakeholders and stabilise the party ahead of its 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for July 23–25.
Mr Osadolor said, “If you’re suggesting that the PDP is no longer embroiled in public disputes, I’d say that’s a welcome development.
“Previously, every week brought news of defections, internal squabbles, or controversial statements. If the PDP platform has been quiet, it could indicate a degree of internal organisation. After all, in a peaceful home, you rarely hear noise because everyone is living in harmony. That’s not to say the PDP is resting on its laurels, though. Internally, the party is likely consolidating and building on the successes of the last NEC meeting.”
He added that the party’s leadership, including governors and NEC members, has been working diligently behind the scenes to reconcile factions and build momentum.
He explained, “Such high-level consultations and reconciliation processes aren’t conducted in public spaces like markets or wholesale centres. They take place behind closed doors, in homes and offices.
“To suggest that the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has achieved a significant milestone over the last NEC meeting would be an understatement.
“At one point, the entire country was abuzz with speculation about the PDP; rumours of a split, doubts about their ability to unite, and factions like Wike’s faction, Samdaddy’s faction, and Seyi Makinde’s group. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on the party’s future.”
Mr Osadolor dismissed speculations that the PDP was losing ground to emerging opposition coalitions such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), maintaining that the PDP brand remained strong and far from extinction.
“When you attend the NEC meeting and see the turnout, you’ll be able to judge the validity of these rumours. However, I can assure you that even if other parties form alliances, the PDP brand is far from extinction. If anything, it’s poised to rebound and reclaim its position of prominence,” he said.
He further argued that the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) performance in the last election, where it secured fewer than 9 million votes out of Nigeria’s over 240 million population—demonstrates that the PDP still has a significant role to play.
“These smaller coalitions and mushroom parties would be wise to recognise the reality of the situation.
“Even the APC, with all its resources, secured fewer than 9 million votes in the last election. Nigeria’s population is over 230 million, so why should the PDP struggle against a party with 9 million supporters when there are nearly 100 million registered voters to engage? The focus should be on the Nigerian people. Are their lives improving? No. Is there any indication that this government will bring about positive change? No.”, he said.
While he avoided naming specific potential presidential candidates, Mr Osadolor acknowledged that the question of who will fly the PDP flag in 2027 is central.
He urged Nigerians not to underestimate the party’s capacity to reorganise and present a formidable challenge in the next election.
“The priority is to strategise an exit for this administration to ensure self-relief for Nigerians,” he added.
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhaji Abubakar disclosed his intention to leave the opposition party in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Jada, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa state.
Alhaji Abubakar described his departure from the PDP as “heartbreaking”, saying the party has strayed from the ideals on which it was founded.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party,” Alhaji Abubakar said.
“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
“As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future”, he added.
Alhaji Abubakar’s resignation from the PDP comes days after the opposition coalition politicians adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform for the 2027 elections.
Among the coalition leaders are Rotimi Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor; and John Oyegun, former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others include Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State; Uche Secondus, former PDP National Chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi State; Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State; and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, among others.
A group, ‘Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF),’ has intensified calls on the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The CBSF which comprises members of various political parties, non-partisan citizens and residents of the state also has non-indigenes and people from different religious organisations as members.
Speaking at a world press conference held in Yenagoa, the State capital on Tuesday, the group, through its convener who doubles as Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media/Public Affairs, Snr. Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, passed a confidence vote on Governor Diri, commending his selfless service to the State and the Ijaw nation.
Mr Ikuli averred that there was need for the state to align with the federal government. Citing the benefits of having a government at the centre that can attract development to the state, he noted that the PDP at the national level had been long enmeshed in crisis.
“The current leadership of the PDP under whose platform the governor is leading the state has been hijacked by few individuals. This poses threats to the interest of the state.
“Presently, our state is standing alone as the only PDP state in the whole of the South South region. The above may not be too much an issue. The greatest challenge here is the hijack of the PDP by few individuals and the very dangerous traps that they have set for Bayelsa in 2027, particularly those that intend to fly the flag of PDP.
“There are concluded arrangements to hide under the excuse of crisis and countless court cases in PDP at different levels to work to nullify the nomination of all candidates that will emerge under the party platform. So, we can imagine the pains, agony and disarray that the state shall experience if the state remains in PDP.
“The ongoing Coalition is also an embodiment of people who conspired to deny Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw Nation, a second term at the Presidency in 2015. Thus, the coalition can never be an option.
“ It is based on the above that we unanimously appeal to the Governor to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show southern solidarity with other southern governors who are with Mr. President”, the group said.
“But as we move forward, one of the greatest priorities in the alliance with the centre should be the actualisation of the Agge Seaport that will help to boost the state economy and also bring about unimaginable transformation and prosperity. In the next few days we shall begin a daily rally on the streets of Yenagoa to prevail on His Excellency to do the needful.
“Finally, His Excellency should ignore all opposing voices against his defection. We say this because they are all fighting to protect their individual political interest without prioritising that of the state and the entire Ijaw nation.
“ We wish to reassure His Excellency that vast majority of Bayelsans are with him and together, we shall move forward”, the CBSF added.
The group thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ijaw sons and daughters into key positions, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), amongst others.
Meanwhile, the CBSF has also charged Governor Diri to prioritize the actualization of the Agge Deep Seaport project, saying it will boost the economy of the state and bring about transformation and prosperity, noting, however, that plans have reached advanced stages for the CBSF to hit the streets of Yenagoa with rallies with a view to prevailing on the governor to defect to the APC.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Speaker made the call on Wednesday while hosting councillors from the 13 local government areas of the State in his residence in Lafia, the state capital.
Rt Hon. Jatau said that a good working relationship among the arms of government at the council level was key to development, hence, the need for his call in that direction.
He appreciated the councillors for condoling with him over the death of his younger sister, Hajaratu Jatau, and prayed to God to bless them abundantly.
“I started as a councillor, and today I am the Speaker. There is the need for a good working relationship between you and the elected chairmen for development to thrive at the grassroots. It is in view of this that I want to call on you to give your elected chairmen all the necessary and needed support to succeed. For development to thrive at the grassroots, you must embrace one another and see yourselves as team players,” the Speaker said.
Rt Hon. Jatau also called on them to coexist peacefully among themselves and continue to drum up support for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.
Besides, he assured them that the state government would soon organise training for them to deliver effective service.
Rt Hon. Jatau also assured them that the state government would pay them their furniture allowance, as well as other benefits, to enhance their legislative work.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nasarawa State Councillors Forum, Mohammed Madaki, who is the Leader of Lafia LGA Legislative Assembly, said that the visit was to identify with the Speaker over the death of his sister.
The leader of the delegation urged the Speaker to see the death of his sister as an act of God and bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mr Madaki assured the Speaker of their loyalty and support at all times.
The chairman, however, appealed to the Speaker to intervene in the training of the councillors as well as the payment of their furniture allowance.
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