Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has downplayed concerns over the recent wave of defections from the opposition party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking to our Correspondent, Wabara insisted there is no cause for alarm over the exit of key PDP figures including the 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; and several other party chieftains.
Describing the development as a “blessing in disguise,” the former Senate President noted that although the PDP would “surely miss” the decampees, the party’s structure and fortunes remain intact. Wabara argued that defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s political landscape and stressed that the party had anticipated such moves driven by personal ambitions, including the pursuit of second terms and protection of political interests.
According to him, “We long expected such defections and we know the reason: Some are doing so for second tenure, and some for protection. But there’s nothing to worry about. That’s politics. In fact, the PDP will laugh last because soon, there will be an implosion in the APC when the newcomers begin to displace the old loyalists.”
APC Headed for Internal Crisis, PDP Will Reap from Fallout — Wabara
Senator Wabara confidently predicted that the APC will soon suffer serious internal wrangling as a result of the influx of PDP defectors. He stated that the new entrants, in their quest for dominance, would eventually cause friction with longstanding APC members who feel sidelined after years of loyalty to the party.
“The displaced APC members will look for where to go, and they will simply come over to the PDP,” Wabara declared. He expressed optimism that the PDP would emerge stronger from the current challenges, rebuilding its structures to reclaim power in the 2027 general elections.
He further asserted that the defections were limited mainly to leadership figures and not the rank-and-file members. “It’s a movement of the leadership, not the followership. Even at that, I have it on good authority that not all the leaders are moving to APC,” Wabara stressed, expressing confidence that the real grassroots power of the PDP remains intact.
Tinubu’s One-Party State Agenda Dangerous for Democracy — Wabara
Reiterating his longstanding warning, Senator Wabara accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to transform Nigeria into a one-party state, a move he described as a grave threat to the country’s democracy. He noted that the current pattern of political defections and the stifling of opposition voices point dangerously toward tyranny and despotism.
“I have earlier warned against Tinubu turning Nigeria into a one-party state and it’s all coming to pass now,” Wabara lamented. He emphasized that muzzling opposition under any guise would not only undermine democracy but also pose serious risks to national stability.
The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to resist any undemocratic tendencies and stressed that no political trick would save the APC from inevitable defeat in 2027. According to him, “Nigerians will vigorously resist anything undemocratic because this country must be made to work for the good of all. The 2027 election will be between the APC and Nigerians determined to rescue their country from political hijackers.”
Mass Defections Would Not Have Happened Under Pa Edwin Clark’s Watch
Reflecting on the developments in Delta State, Wabara expressed deep regret over the passing of Ijaw elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, stating that the political realignments might not have occurred if the revered leader were still alive.
“I really mourn the death of Pa Edwin Clark because if he were to be alive, this political rascality in Delta wouldn’t have taken place,” he said. Wabara recalled that despite not being a card-carrying PDP member, Pa Clark firmly opposed APC policies and provided moral leadership that discouraged reckless defections among the Ijaws.
The former Senate President lamented that the absence of such elder statesmen has emboldened political opportunists. However, he maintained that the PDP, with the support of its loyalists, would rebuild stronger and restore the party to prominence ahead of the 2027 elections.
PDP Will Rebuild and Regain Power in 2027, Wabara Assures
Despite the current turbulence, Senator Wabara expressed unwavering optimism about the future of the PDP. He urged party members not to be discouraged by the defections but to focus on the task of strengthening the party’s structures across the country.
“There’s no stopping anybody who wants to leave the PDP. We know their reasons. But those who remain will support the on-going genuine efforts to rebuild PDP into a winning force before 2027,” he stated. Wabara predicted that many progressive-minded Nigerians from other political platforms would soon join the PDP to rescue the country from what he described as APC’s maladministration.
Concluding his remarks, Wabara emphasized that the fate of Nigeria’s democracy lies in the hands of the citizens. He urged Nigerians to use their votes wisely in 2027, assuring that the PDP, fortified by true believers in democracy, would offer a credible alternative to the APC’s leadership.
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