By Ken Afor
Former President of the Senate and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has issued a stern warning against any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to establish a one-party system in Nigeria.
In a defiant statement, Wabara, a veteran politician and influential voice within the PDP, while responding to reported mass resignation of key PDP members in the South East geo-political zone, alleged that the APC is leveraging certain elements within the PDP to destabilize the party.
TheNewDiplomat recalls that last Tuesday, the former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, resigned from the party, due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the position of the PDP National Secretary.
Interestingly, barely 24 hours after his resignation, the party witnessed a wave of mass defection of key members and officials of the PDP in Imo State.
Among the National officers from Imo State who allegedly resigned from the PDP were Chief Chris Okewulonu, a member of the BoT, and four zonal officers: Mr. Stanley Ekezie, ex-officio Zonal Officer; Chief Austin Okeke, Zonal Publicity Secretary; Chief Emeka Nwokeke, Zonal Organising Secretary; and Zonal Woman Leader, Mrs. Ruth Nkwocha.
Additionally, three state officers and a Local Government Chairman of the party in Imo also reportedly resigned, including Mr. Kissinger Ikokwu, State Legal Adviser; Mazi Emenike Nmeregini, State Publicity Secretary; Chief David Abanihi, State Assistant Treasurer; and Hon. Sambazz Iheaturueme, the Chairman of Obowo LGA.
Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri; Mr. Chibuzor Agulana; Prof. Obioma Iheduru; and Hon. Mrs. Amarachi Owuamanam were also reportedly among those who have left the PDP.
Meanwhile, on response to this development, Wabara assured that the PDP BoT would take swift action to intervene and prevent any further exodus of members from the party.
Senator Wabara, speaking on behalf of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, vowed to uphold the party’s integrity by preventing self-interested individuals from being exploited by the ruling party to undermine the PDP’s stability and cohesion.
He said: “The BoT will wade in expeditiously to save the deliberate and planned extinction of this great party, the People’s Democratic Party.
“The BoT with the array of distinguished men and women of invaluable experience and integrity will surely salvage the party. The BoT did it once and shall do it again no matter whose ox is gored.
“The BoT will never allow the APC to use some characters in the PDP to turn this beautiful and sweet Nation (Nigeria) into a one party state.”
The former Senate President asserted that the PDP possesses a wealth of experienced political figures adept at navigating and overcoming any internal challenges confronting the party.
He expressed optimism that any grievances held by certain party members would soon be resolved amicably.
Prior to the recently concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP in Abuja, Senator Wabara expressed confidence that the party would not disintegrate, contrary to the expectations of some individuals.
He stated that those anticipating the implosion of the PDP would be disappointed.
Political analysts have attributed the crisis within the PDP to the power struggle between the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, and the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
The analysts suggest that the clash between these two prominent figures has fueled the internal conflicts within the party.
