The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused governors who recently dumped the party of “greed, avarice, and selfishness,” insisting that Nigerians, not political leaders, will ultimately decide their fate in the 2027 general elections.
Naijaonpoint reports that the opposition party maintained that it is not governors who sustain a political party but the people, stressing that those abandoning the platform that produced them would eventually regret their actions.
Since the 2023 general election, four sitting governors, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa, have defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party has also suffered the loss of its 2023 presidential candidate, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, alongside several key allies.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, dismissed the defections as products of greed.
Abdullahi said, “To the best of my knowledge and that of most Nigerians, you cannot find a compelling reason for a governor, especially one on a second term like in Bayelsa, to abandon the party that produced him.
“You can’t find any justifiable reason other than covetousness, greed, and avarice.”
He added that despite internal challenges, the PDP remains a credible opposition party.
“Our party is in good stead. We have internal issues like every other political party, but we have addressed the major ones that could have afflicted our ability to serve as a credible opposition as we journey towards 2027,” he said.
Governor’s Aides Defend Defection
The Special Adviser to Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, on Media, Dan Nwomeh, said the PDP’s reaction was “understandable but misplaced.”
Nwomeh said, “The governor has made adequate explanation on why he left the PDP; it’s all contained in his speech. We understand the PDP won’t be happy, but we can’t help it.
“We can’t remain in a party where our voice doesn’t count. If you leave the PDP, they will find something to say, that’s politics.”
Abdullahi, however, stressed that the party is not distracted by the defections, noting that its priority is the forthcoming national convention in Ibadan.
He stated, “These few elements are driven by self-greed and the coercion and temptation of the ruling party. Other than that, there’s no reason for their action. To the PDP, it’s good riddance to bad rubbish.”
He said the departure of such figures offers the party an opportunity to “weed out terrible elements” ahead of the convention.
“Many Nigerians have been asking what could have prompted these defections because the PDP remains in good stead. There’s no rationale other than selfishness and greed,” Abdullahi said.
He insisted that the defection of a few governors does not define the party’s fate. “It’s not about PDP or APC anymore; it’s APC versus Nigerians. Let them do whatever they can, we’ve seen worse temptations than this,” he said.
Abdullahi dismissed claims by Governor Mbah that the South East has been marginalised within the PDP despite supporting the party for 27 years.
The PDP Chieftain further stated, “This is the same party that produced five Senate Presidents from the South East. Each of the states in the region produced a Senate President at one point. They also produced ministers in very notable ministries.
“There was a time the PDP empowered the South East to the point where names like Okonjo-Iweala emerged globally. So, what exactly is he talking about?”
Abdullahi accused Mbah of failing to participate in party activities.
He said, “For four years that I have been in the PDP, I haven’t seen Peter Mbah attend any NEC or major party meeting in Abuja.
“If you claim the PDP has not provided leadership, as a governor you are the custodian of that leadership in your state. So, if leadership is lacking, it’s an admission of failure on your part.”
Abdullahi also took a swipe at former Enugu governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, accusing him of diminishing his political stature.
“It’s disappointing that a former governor and former member of the National Assembly has reduced himself to a personal assistant, literally carrying bags for a sitting minister. That’s shameless,” he said.
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