“The evil that men do lives after them…” is a quote from the famous Shakespeare’s book, Julius Caesar. Yet, another quote from William Butler Yeats’ book, “The Second Coming,” says, “turning and turning in the widening gyre, the falcon cannot hear the falconer,” symbolising a situation spiralling out of control, entering a period of chaos and collapse. The “widening gyre” represents the end of one historical era and the beginning of a new one as the existing order and structures crumble.

Those two quotes reflect the situation of the People’s Democratic Party, Nigeria’s once most populous and powerful political party. Things are breaking down, and the once solid foundation of the Party is giving way. Some who believe in myths say the problem became intractable the day former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in annoyance, tore his PDP membership card.

What is physically known, however, is the 2013 incident, when Senator Olusola Saraki, Kawu Baraje, and others walked out of the PDP national convention on 31 August alongside seven PDP governors, “because they claimed they wanted the party to be run inclusively.” That same day, they announced the formation of the New PDP, a group they claimed would embody the true spirit of the party.

That was an open rebellion against the party hierarchy dominated then by Jonathan and PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur, and one daresay the party has never truly healed from it. Since his removal from office in 2015, former President Jonathan had distanced himself from the party. PDP dissidents in the Senate and House of Representatives had pledged loyalty to the New PDP to deprive the Jonathan/Tukur camp of its majority in the National Assembly. That was the beginning of the decimation of the PDP and the greatest challenge its leadership has faced since the party’s foundation in 1998.

In the countdown to the 2023 general elections, a splinter group calling itself the G-5 Governors emerged, championing the cause of a southern presidential candidate in the PDP. The theme of the campaign, led by Nyesom Wike, swayed some party members, and their collaborative efforts mobilised against the party. The party lost an election that it should have won. Since then, the party has known no peace, swinging from one problem to another. The party’s organs are struggling to function effectively. The National Executive Committee could not meet due to some flimsy excuses.

Diagnosing the problem, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido launched a scathing attack on Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, labelling him a “disaster” and calling for his removal from the party. This came immediately after the sealing of the PDP National Secretariat by the FCT Authority, headed by Wike. Subsequently, he pledged to abstain from all party activities until the expulsion of Wike and other suspected impostors. He claimed Wike’s presence poses a threat to the survival of the PDP, and he criticised the minister for what he perceived as deliberate sabotage. The FCTA revoked the titles of 4,794 properties, spanning from 10 to 43 years, as part of a broader operation that included the sealing of the PDP Secretariat.

Chief Bode George disputed this, saying that contrary to the allegations, the PDP had not paid ground rents for years. “We just discovered that only N7 million was owed,” and said it was not out of place for Wike, the acclaimed major financier of the party, to pay the sum and come back for his refund as a loyal party member. But that may not align with Wike’s agenda.

A caucus meeting called at the time of the sealing was poorly attended. Some key political figures were noticeably absent. Former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, former Senate President David Mark, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal were all missing from the crucial meeting. Their absence raised concerns about growing divisions and a lack of consensus within the party leadership.

The contentious issue surrounding the position of its National Secretary remains a pressing concern. At a press briefing, Senator Anyanwu accused certain governors and party leaders of orchestrating a personal vendetta against him, driven by “selfish interests” and “hidden agendas.”

He highlighted his 2021 election with the entire nation at the convention, emphasising that there is no vacancy in his office. He expressed dismay at attempts to illegally replace him prematurely. He accused Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of attempting to usurp the National Secretary position by nominating a replacement from Enugu, despite the role being designated for Imo State.

For the PDP, each day brings new troubles as internal enemies continue to dig in and refine their agenda to support President Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office. The PDP holds unrealistic expectations that Chief Nyesom Wike will align with its decisions in the 2027 presidential contest, including selecting its candidate.

On Saturday, Wike led a delegation of co-conspirators for the Tinubu project to visit the President. The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, was attended by two other members of the previously existing G-5 Governors’ forum: Samuel Ortom of Benue and Ikpeazu of Abia, and joined by Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State. The visit by these PDP leaders is a direct challenge and a slight to the party. His actions put the party under fire and made it seem spineless in public perception.

The question is, when will the PDP summon the courage to put its house in order? The party must choose one of the lesser of two evils rather than keep postponing the evil day, which is more dangerous to its continuous existence.

President Tinubu Gloats on PDP’s Condition
In his address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly to make June 12 Democracy Day, President Tinubu said, “Political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist.

“For me, I would say try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you do so. It is, indeed, a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.”

Responding to allegations of turning Nigeria into a one-party state, President Tinubu said, ‘I’ve never attempted to alter any political registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission. Equally, my dear friends and colleagues, we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a lifejacket”.

,