As it prepares for off-season gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo states, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faces another challenge. With major losses in the National Assembly election of key officers, the party is facing state leadership issues, especially in electoral states.
All elected parliamentarians selected by the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) for NASS posts were overwhelmingly voted for, save Godswill Akpabio, who won by a small margin.
The PDP is in trouble again as the off-season gubernatorial elections approach.
Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, a PDP state since 1999, has been accused of bad leadership.
The governor has been accused of selling public assets without replacement and doing nothing since taking office.
“People need water, light, and housing,” said Bayelsa APC Chairman Dennis Otiotio. He has no estates.
House of Assembly Quarters sold, no replacement. Commissioners’ quarters sold, no replacement. Judges’ quarters sold, no replacement. All lies. He deceives.”
Even if the state ministry of water resources obtains water from “aboki,” everyone in Bayelsa drills boreholes to acquire water.
Diri predicted his “first term performance” will win him reelection on November 11.
Ogiriki Dennis Eradiri, Director General of Kemese Political Front, agreed with Diri that he would win a second term.
Eradiri said Diri’s second-term candidature is based on his “tremendous accomplishments and advances, which are aimed towards the growth and prosperity of the state.”
The PDP’s split between the national leadership and the Bayelsa State chapter suggests Diri’s destiny is beyond his performance.
Secondly, Diri’s spat with former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike will push his support back to the APC.
Bayelsa-Rivers animosity stems from Nyesom Wike’s loss to Atiku Abubakar on the party’s presidential ticket.
Wike was upset that his nearest state, which was carved out of Rivers in 1996 by Sani Abacha, would not back him.
In the twilight of the Wike administration, he destroyed Bayelsa government property despite appeals, escalating political tensions. That angered and incensed both nations.
Wike supported APC contender Bola Tinubu after the presidential primary crises.
He may again mobilise money for Bayelsa APC gubernatorial candidate Timipre Silva.
The Bayelsa State PDP claims the governor runs a one-man show.
According to party insiders, Diri may have ignored the party structure in hopes of repeating his lucky governorship.
Issues also plague the temporary national party leadership and need help supporting Diri.
The party lacks a national personality to galvanise and unite the once-giant that vowed to dominate the country for 50 years.
As he aged, many PDP officials are looking past Atiku Abubakar.
Kogi and Imo party chapters need to be fixed.
The PDP’s pick of Dino Melaye in Kogi has drawn criticism.
Many PDP supporters say, Dino, as he wants to be known, has had constant conflicts with law enforcement and a shattered public and private image.
Defections to the APC have followed his rise. State stakeholders are also upset that PDP did not look beyond Dino after the 2023 general elections.
They also criticised the party leadership for reportedly bringing the Atiku-Wike dispute to the state instead of permitting a clean candidate for the November 11 election.
Some prominent personalities have said that “Dino would campaign alone” in the APC’s dilemma.
As the party seeks to recover from many losses, the lack of support and the charge that Atiku forced the controversial politician on the state may lead to a major loss.
In Imo State, defections have devastated the party. The APC gained 7 Imo State Executive Members last week.
The party’s seven State Executive Committee members accused PDP gubernatorial candidate Samuel Anyanwu of operating a one-man show, splitting the party, and generating polarisation that would lead to the PDP’s November 11 loss.
Governor Hope Uzodimma has guaranteed a fair deal. The APC welcomes PDP defectors.
Wike, the G-5 governors, and his Integrity Group reportedly lined up behind APC gubernatorial candidates in the two states.
He honoured Uzodimma, who is running for reelection in Imo State, before leaving office on May 29.
Atiku is no more the beloved and uniting figure he once was, as the PDP has garnered tepid support from members in their presidential election case tribunal petition.
This division has tested PDP as it stumbled into the national assembly election. Although bragging that it would force other opposition parties to decide who wins in the June 13 elections to important posts of the second branch of government, it failed to unite them.
Although the elections are still months away, PDP stakeholders are concerned about the rising defection across states, particularly in off-season polls.
Illiya Umar Damagun, the party’s temporary national head, still needs to provide unity and healing. There were the 2033 general elections.
Damage is likely to set a fresh route to reverse its disastrous election results after its recent leadership and stakeholder conference.
