The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that it will sanction members who openly endorse President Bola Tinubu or engage in other anti-party activities.
The Chairman of the party’s South-South caretaker committee, Emmanuel Ogidi, gave the warning on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief.
Ogidi said the party was closely monitoring the activities of its members, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who has publicly declared support for Tinubu. He stressed that discipline remained central to the PDP’s survival and success ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Any party that does not have discipline cannot succeed. We will discipline any erring members,” Ogidi said.
The PDP leader dismissed suggestions that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced the zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South. He accused the APC of attempting to destabilise the South, but said the opposition’s resilience had frustrated those efforts.
Ogidi noted that while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-lawmaker Dino Melaye and others had defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, reconciliation within the PDP was still ongoing. He, however, warned that those sabotaging the party from within would not be spared.
“We are on reconciliation. If it doesn’t work, then we are going to apply the big stick. As for those who have left, our doors are always open. At the time they left, many were unsure of the party’s direction, but now we are more certain, and I believe they will return,” he said.
According to him, the PDP’s immediate focus is not on individual candidates but on restoring public trust after years of internal crisis and leadership disputes.
“This is the People’s Democratic Party. We don’t headhunt for candidates; our doors are open. For now, our pursuit is not about the candidate but about regaining the confidence of Nigerians. PDP is not owned by any individual; it belongs to the people,” Ogidi added.