Onjefu Okidu
If one were to pause abruptly amidst the ongoing turmoil within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and take a moment to reflect, a pressing question would likely arise: would it be fair for the PDP to sanction Nyesom Wike and restore the Rivers party structure to Governor Fubara? To answer this question accurately, one must peruse the history of the PDP.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe history of the party, frankly, is a disheartening one. At its inception in 1998, under the leadership of Chief Alex Ekwueme, the party enjoyed widespread support, goodwill, and focus—qualities that positioned it as a blessing to Nigeria’s political landscape. Unfortunately, the PDP soon lost its autonomy, starting with Solomon Lar’s Jos impunity, a seed Chief Olusegun Obasanjo began to nurture upon assuming the presidency.
Since the era of Chief Solomon Lar, the party has been plagued by what can best be described as a “bigwigs-power-struggle syndrome.” Decisions made by influential figures within the party, even when inconsistent with its constitution, often face little to no opposition. In 1998, under Chief Lar’s leadership, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) passed a resolution mandating that all PDP aspirants seeking various positions in the 1999 elections must prove their eligibility by delivering their constituencies during the upcoming Local Government and Gubernatorial elections. Specifically, presidential aspirants were required to secure victories in their local governments, while gubernatorial candidates had to deliver their wards.
Ekwueme complied with the resolution, but his main opponent in the presidential race, Obasanjo, did not. Media reports at the time even noted that Obasanjo failed to deliver the polling booth in front of his house. While Ekwueme was within striking distance of winning the party primaries, Chief Solomon Lar—whether consciously or unconsciously—undermined the NEC resolution, sowing the seed of impunity and laying the foundation for the PDP’s eventual decline. He unilaterally urged party members to allow Obasanjo into the presidential contest. The PDP proceeded as though nothing was amiss! From that moment onward, nearly all subsequent national chairmen, except Chief Audu Ogbeh, followed the precedent set by Solomon Lar. This mentality of impunity inevitably trickled down to the ward level, further eroding the party’s internal discipline and structure.
The seed sown by Solomon Lar burdened the PDP with widespread indiscipline and irregularities, which became deeply entrenched during President Obasanjo’s era. These damaging practices persisted long after Obasanjo’s time, extending into the administrations of Yar’Adua and Jonathan. The consequences were severe, driving both indecent and decent members, including Obasanjo himself, out of the party. Notably, in November 2013, five governors elected on the PDP platform defected to the APC, citing impunity and a lack of internal democracy as their primary grievances. This unprecedented event in Nigeria’s political history laid the groundwork for the APC’s victory in the 2015 general elections.
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Even more disastrous for the PDP is the entrenched “money-for-hand-back-for-ground” mentality, a direct offshoot of Chief Lar’s seed of impunity. Money now provides individuals with unchecked leverage to manipulate and dominate within the party. The 2023 elections were a glaring demonstration of this culture. First, the unwritten principle of power rotation and the party’s gentleman’s agreement on rotational presidency were brazenly disregarded. Second, the PDP’s constitutional provision prohibiting the party’s presidential candidate and chairman from coming from the same region was completely ignored. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s actions epitomized the Lar-inspired culture of greed, manipulation, and blatant disregard for the party’s constitution and principles—yet nothing happened. The party carried on as though all was well, with no consequences in sight!
At this point in the PDP’s journey, it has become an established norm that the party can be wielded dictatorially—without rules, truth, or accountability. What remains is a culture of selfishness, driven and sustained by greed. Any powerful individual can make decisions, take actions, and impose their will without challenge. As we know, politics is ultimately a fight for territory, and Nyesom Wike has taken steps to protect himself against potential conquest within the PDP. Yet, suddenly, it seems as though heaven is falling!
The media, particularly Arise TV, has played a significant role in shaping this narrative, consistently portraying Wike in the most unflattering and often ridiculous light. Not a single positive angle has been reported by Arise TV and its affiliates in support of Wike, leading to a skewed and unfair public opinion. As a result, the clamor for sanctions against Wike—both within and outside the PDP—has been fueled by this ill-informed bandwagon of media-driven public sentiment.
It is evident that Nyesom Wike, as someone who has heavily invested in the PDP, now finds himself grappling with a series of dilemmas. He may be asking himself: Do I continue to uphold the constitution of the PDP? Do I keep investing in the party? Do I sit back, fold my arms, and allow myself to be conquered? Or do I defect? These are weighty questions, reflecting the complexities of the current precarious predicament of the PDP.
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Had he chosen to defect, both the PDP and the Nigerian political system would have lost a politician unafraid to confront the deep-seated immorality within the party—something that, as history has shown, is in dangerously short supply. The reality is that Nyesom Wike has every right to defend himself against political conquest. With his significant investment and commitment to the party, he is far from being a mere “party man” who can be easily subdued by self-serving party elements. After all, what is good for the goose is good for the gander! Let the chips fall where they may. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance!
Dr Okidu writes from Ilorin.
He can be reached through:
E-mail – okidu2002@yahoo.com
Phone – +2348036636139
