1 week Ago By Olusegun Odunewu
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has expressed strong optimism that despite the ongoing wave of defections shaking the opposition party, the PDP will overcome its current crisis and emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 general elections.Speaking to journalists on Saturday in Aba, Abia State, Senator Wabara reacted to the recent high-profile exits from the PDP, including that of its 2023 vice-presidential candidate and former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and several other notable chieftains.These defections have seen them align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), triggering anxiety among party faithful.
However, Wabara dismissed fears of a weakened PDP, describing the defections as “a blessing in disguise.” According to him, the exodus would soon trigger an implosion within the APC, which would eventually work in PDP’s favor.“APC will soon implode as a result of the defection of PDP members coming to displace loyal APC faithful who have laboured to build their party,” Wabara said confidently.
“The PDP will laugh last because very soon, there will be an implosion in the APC. Those joining the APC will seek to dominate the party, displacing original members, and the fallout will bring many back to the PDP.”READ ALSO: Ighodalo rallies PDP loyalists in Edo, reaffirms commitment to reclaim mandateThe former Senate President stated that defections were a common feature in Nigeria’s political landscape and did not come to him as a surprise.
“Decampment in politics is not unusual,” he noted.“It was expected, and I think we should expect more. But there’s nothing to worry about.
Some are defecting for second tenure ambitions, others for protection.”Wabara also insisted that while the PDP would miss those who left, their exit would not translate to electoral weakness in 2027. He argued that Nigerians, who have suffered under the APC’s “bad policies and maladministration,” would vote decisively to reclaim the country’s future.
“Despite these defections, the 2027 polls will not be a walkover for the APC,” Wabara stated. “Nigerians who have been subjected to agony and economic hardship will use their votes wisely, protect their votes, and ensure they count.”He emphasized that the ongoing movement was mainly among political elites and not the grassroots followers, who, he believes, remain loyal.
“It’s a movement of the leadership and not the followership,” he said.“Even among those leaders, not all are moving to the APC. At the fullness of time, Nigerians — not parties — will decide.
”Wabara further warned that Nigerians would no longer tolerate electoral malpractice in future elections. “The idea of the electoral body announcing cooked results and asking aggrieved parties to go to court will not work again,” he cautioned.“Nigerians will vigorously resist any undemocratic tendencies because this country must work for the good of all.
”He also addressed speculations that the APC might attempt to rig the 2027 elections while conceding a few states to the opposition to create a false sense of fairness.Wabara dismissed such strategies, asserting that the election would be a direct contest between the APC and determined Nigerians seeking to rescue their nation from “political hijackers.”“The fear of the decampees is understandable,” he said.
“But they will soon realize that the 2027 election will be between the APC and Nigerians, not between parties. The PDP remains resolute and is committed to rebuilding and repositioning itself ahead of 2027.The post PDP will laugh last in 2027, says BoT Chairman Wabara appeared first on National Daily Newspaper.
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