The Forum of Former Speakers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has stated that many politicians who previously left the party for other political groups will soon return. The Forum noted that the PDP remains the most widely accepted and organized party in Nigeria, making it the best choice to address the country’s challenges.
This statement was made on Friday after a meeting between the Forum and the PDP minority leadership in the House of Representatives at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by key PDP leaders, including House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Ali Isa, Chairman of the Forum Inuwa Garba, and the Forum’s Secretary Williams Edor. Others present included Bakitta Bello, Friday Itulah, Kwamoti Laori, and Ndanusa Hassan.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Hon. Garba criticized some defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), calling them unconstitutional. He expressed confidence that those who left the PDP would soon return, as Nigerians are becoming more aware of what is best for the country.
“We believe some of these defections are illegal as they constitute constitutional breaches. Some politicians do not consider what affects their people or the nation; they focus only on personal interests.
“You cannot stop some individuals from switching political parties. However, very soon, you will witness a wave of defections back to the PDP because Nigerians are now better informed and aware of what is best for them and the nation.
“One person out of a thousand from a constituency may choose to leave the party for personal gain, but the voters he abandoned know what is good for them and what they stand for.”
Garba further stated that any politician in Nigeria with credibility today was, at some point, groomed by the PDP.
“Any politician you see as credible today was nurtured by the PDP, a party that remains the most widely spread in Africa,” he added, accusing the ruling party of attempting to disrupt the political process.
“It will not work. You may do as you please at a given time, but you cannot always have your way,” he said.
During the meeting, the Forum urged party members to “remain steadfast and united in the face of the current challenges facing the nation.”
It also called on PDP members and leaders at all levels to have faith “in the ongoing efforts to strengthen and unify the party.”
Recently, the PDP lost Senator Ned Nwoko and House of Representatives member Amos Magaji to the APC. Their departure has raised concerns among political analysts about the opposition party’s ability to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 elections.
