The Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, Okey Ikechukwu, has criticized the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its inability to manage its internal conflicts.
Ikechukwu, who made his remarks to the news source, also stated that the party has failed to establish a strong opposition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The policy analyst remarked, “The PDP, a once formidable party, which during the era of (former President) Obasanjo, Audu Ogbe, and even Atiku (Abubakar) conducted impressive campaigns. In 2003, for instance, there were three campaign teams. Today, it has diminished into a feeble assembly of confused individuals who are merely pretending to be a political party.
“What does the PDP do today other than discuss its internal disputes? Occasionally, it issues press releases attacking the APC, mistakenly believing that this constitutes political opposition.”
He noted that the real opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration comprises activists, civil society organizations, concerned commentators, and elder statesmen who address national issues.
“The essence of opposition is to present a profile that makes you appealing to the electorate, prompting them to think, ‘No, no, no, I need this individual to replace the current leader; they are not competent.’
“Please, enlighten me on what makes the PDP appealing today. Internally, it is in complete disarray,” he added.
The professor indicated that the party’s current preparations for the 2027 general elections, amidst its internal crises, do not suggest that it will perform better at the polls unless it addresses these issues.
“Thus, in the upcoming election, it will participate but will not truly contest; this may seem contradictory. You are involved in an event, yet your preparations indicate that you are destined to arrive and be thoroughly defeated, carried out on a stretcher, unless a significant reconfiguration occurs within that party, with a clear focus on improving the public perception of its members,” he stated.
Regarding the position of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Okechukwu expressed that the PDP ought to feel ashamed that the former governor continues to be a member, considering his purported anti-party actions.
Nevertheless, he remarked that the former governor of Rivers State is still a valuable political figure.
Ikechukwu stated, “Wike, regardless of personal opinions, one must ponder: is this individual lacking in intelligence? The response is negative. Is he aware of his actions? Perhaps. Can he be dismissed? The answer is also negative. It is the PDP that should feel ashamed that Wike remains a member, in light of his past and ongoing actions.
“It is the PDP that ought to feel embarrassed for failing to manage such a prominent figure, as Wike will be a political asset to anyone he aligns with. For those he currently supports, he is indeed a political asset. However, permitting him to navigate both paths at such a high speed indicates a lack of oversight.
“The PDP, with all due respect to the esteemed individuals within that party, is increasingly making itself appear more absurd, not just daily but hourly as each new hour arrives. They must cease deceiving themselves.
