The Peoples Democratic Party National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, has rejected claims that the party is under the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, asserting that its 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is responsible for the party’s issues.
He made this statement while addressing a press conference called “Fix PDP to Fix Nigeria” in Abuja on Tuesday.
It’s worth noting that the PDP has been embroiled in crises both before and during the 2023 elections.
While some members attribute the escalating crisis to the failure of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, an ally of Wike, to revitalize the party, others hold Atiku and other party leaders responsible.
This ongoing crisis has negatively impacted the party’s influence and popularity among many Nigerians, who previously viewed it as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Abdullahi said that Atiku’s frequent defections to and from the PDP have dampened stakeholder support for the party, asserting that the current NWC has inherited these issues.
The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary pointed out that one of the issues Atiku created for both the party and Nigerians was imposing a worst government under former President Muhammadu Buhari on the country.
In his remarks, the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, held that Damagum and former Rivers State Governor Wike are responsible for the challenges the party is facing.
Ugochinyere pointed out that lawmakers and other stakeholders are leaving the PDP for other parties because the party’s symbol, the umbrella, is no longer sufficient to provide them protection.
