- PDP leaders clashed in Abuja over accountability for the party’s ongoing crisis, with Hon. Ugochinyere blaming Nyesom Wike and Amb. Damagum
- Ibrahim Abdullahi countered by holding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar responsible, highlighting deep divisions within the party amid leadership struggles
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clashed in Abuja on Tuesday over who is responsible for the party’s ongoing crisis. Tensions began after the presidential primary election and contributed to the party’s loss to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election.
At a conference titled “Fix PDP To Fix Nigeria,” Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives, pointed fingers at Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for causing the impasse within the party.
Ugochinyere also blamed the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, and Wike for exacerbating the party’s leadership struggles.
Ugochinyere stated, “We must resolve the internal leadership struggles before we can fix PDP. People are laughing at us from the outside. Wike has already taken a job working for the APC, so we know where his loyalty lies.”
However, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, disagreed and blamed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the party’s crisis.
Abdullahi denied that Wike controls the current National Working Committee (NWC), led by Damagum, and said that the NWC inherited the current issues.
Abdullahi added, “Atiku played a role in imposing a weak government under Buhari. He left the party, returned, and was handed the presidential ticket. Five governors were threatening the party during the election, and Atiku handled it with carelessness, contributing to our problems.”
He further criticized the role of former PDP Chairman Iyorchia Ayu, accusing him of working against the party’s best interests during the election period. The clash between PDP leaders highlights the deep divisions within the party as they continue to struggle with internal leadership and political direction.