Nigerians expect the People’s Democratic Party to play the role of a vibrant opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The party has the structure and the personnel to play that role effectively. It has been in power longer than any other political party in Nigeria and still controls the largest number of governors and parliamentarians amongst the remaining seventeen opposition parties. However, It is bogged down by instability that appears intractable. It is difficult to resolve because of big egos and motivations at variance with the philosophy and objectives of its founding fathers.

The news of the thugs’ invasion of the People’s Democratic Party secretariat, where members of its Board of Trustees were at their 79th soul-searching meeting, almost overshadowed whatever the outcome of the meeting. Little wonder former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai recently said the PDP was on its way to the grave. He said, “There are internal mercenaries in the PDP, hired and motivated to destroy the party.”

True to his observation, rather than restore peace, the PDP’s leadership crisis was complicated by conflicts surrounding the authentic National Secretary between Senator Sam Anyanwu and Mr. Ude-Okoye, former youth leader of the party. During his opening statement at the BOT meeting on Wednesday, the acting national chairman engaged in some introspection. Umar Damagum alleged that several party leaders, including members of the Board of Trustees, are involved in the current turmoil within the party.

He said, “I want to say this with the highest sense of responsibility: part of this crisis that you see today within the NWC is propelled by our leaders who are supposed to unite us. And as the conscience of this party, some of us are also complicit. We should look inward and search our conscience. This party is dear to all of us. It is the only thing we have.

“It’s very unfortunate. I would say it the way it is, where people are called. We all know the workings of NWC; some of you here have been NWC members. I’ll be sitting down with the chairman only to see my members called by certain leaders to visit certain places, without my knowledge. Each one of you, if you are the chairman, will find it difficult. And I want to use this opportunity to caution us, caution our leaders.

“You may have ambition, but you don’t ride on a dead horse to reach your destination. If you create a crisis simply to further your ambition, you may get what you want, but your dream will not be realised, because, by that time, you have injured the horse you are going to ride to that destination.”

The Board of Trustees has critically assessed the state of affairs of the nation and the party and expressed serious concerns over the unresolved challenges facing the party, especially as related to the disagreements within the National Working Committee (NWC). The Board of Trustees called on the members of the NWC, all organs, leaders, and critical stakeholders of the Party to prioritise the stability, unity, sustenance, and progress of the Party and its ideals over personal, group, or sectional interests.

The BOT noted that in the effort to resolve the current crisis over the position of the National Secretary of the Party, which is presently before the courts, the BoT set up a committee led by Barr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN to interface with the parties, study the situation, and report to the Board for further action.

It also noted that the acting National Chairman assured the BoT that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will be held as scheduled in February 2025 to “address all pertinent issues and reaffirm our shared commitment to the unity, discipline, and ideals that bind us together as members of the PDP.

“On the national front, the BoT expresses concerns over the worsening economic and security situation, social dislocation, and a total sense of hopelessness in the country due to the ill-conceived and ill-implemented policies of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

“BoT decries the insensitivity of the APC administration towards Nigerians as evident in the unjustified multiple taxes and failure to stem the increase in the pump price of fuel, electricity tariffs, and telecommunication charges with a crippling effect on the productive sector and the unbearable rise in the cost of living in the country.

“The BoT insists that the APC administration lacks the required patriotism and competence, as well as a proficient, transparent, and innovative governance team to effectively manage the nation’s abundant human and natural resources to benefit our citizens. The BoT demands that the APC administration immediately rescind all its anti-people policies and take urgent steps to stimulate the productive sector, create jobs, and revamp the ailing economy.”

In a statement signed by its chairman, Senator Adlphus Wabara, the BoT reassures all party members and Nigerians that the PDP remains a strong, united, and cohesive political party committed to the sustenance of democracy and the well-being of Nigerians at all times.