By Kolawole Ojebisi
Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, has dismissed claims that the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has become a spent force that can’t hold its own in national elections without coalition with other opposition parties.
The legislator spoke on African Independent Television (AIT) on Thursday in light of recent comments by some PDP governors who have distanced themselves from coalition talks.
Moro said, “I’ve said it before, PDP is a big brand. If you go to every nook and cranny of Nigeria today, you will find PDP members.
“Even without a coalition or merger, PDP can contest and be competitive in the next election.
“If there’s going to be a coalition, that’s fine. But if it’s a merger that requires dropping the PDP name entirely, then that’s a dangerous path. The PDP brand is strong and resonates across the country. It’s capable of winning elections in its own right. Retaining the name is crucial,” he added.
Moro, who is the Senate Minority leader, however, maintained that the PDP must not repeat the mistakes that cost it the the 2023 general elections, particularly its failure to zone the presidential ticket.
Reacting to concerns raised by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, that the PDP could face a more catastrophic defeat in 2027 if it fails to zone its presidential ticket to the South, Moro described the ex-Rivers governor’s claim as mere “assumptions”
“Those are assumptions. But coming from the minister who played a key role in the formation of the G5, I am sure the party will take serious political note of that warning,” Moro said.
He stressed the need for the PDP to reflect on its past mistakes, warning that the party cannot afford to continue down the same path and expect different results.
“There’s no doubt that if the PDP continues to make the same mistakes that presumably led to our current predicament, the outcome will likely be the same,” he stated.
Quoting Albert Einstein, Moro noted, “We cannot keep doing the same thing the same way and expect different results,” adding that failure to learn from history could have dire consequences for the party.
“I believe the PDP should take that warning seriously, regardless of who it’s coming from and make the necessary corrections to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated. As the saying goes, ‘Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’”
