Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has said there is no need for panic over the recent defections of some top PDP figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those who recently left the PDP are its 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, along with several other leaders from Delta State.
Senator Wabara, who is also a former Senate President, noted that while the PDP would certainly miss those who have defected, their departure would not cripple the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections. Instead, he described the situation as “a blessing in disguise.”
Speaking to reporters, Wabara said that the APC would face serious internal problems soon because of the influx of new members. He explained that loyal APC members, who had built the party from the ground up, would likely feel threatened by the newcomers, leading to internal fights and possible collapse.
He said: “The PDP will laugh last because very soon, there will be implosion in the APC. Those people joining the APC will soon want to displace the party members who have built the APC over the years. The displaced APC members will look for where to go, and they will simply come over to the PDP.”
Wabara admitted he was not shocked by the defections, saying that defections are normal in politics. He pointed out that many politicians switch parties for reasons like seeking re-election, lack of trust in the electoral system, or political protection.
He added: “It was expected, and I think we should expect more. But there’s nothing to worry about. That’s politics. We long expected such defections and we know the reason: Some are doing so for second tenure, and some for protection.”
Despite the latest developments, Wabara said the 2027 elections would not be an easy win for the ruling APC. According to him, Nigerians, who have suffered under APC’s poor policies, would be determined to use their votes wisely.
“It’s a movement of the leadership and not the followership. Even at that, I have it on good authority that not all the leaders are moving to APC. At the fullness of time, Nigerians will decide. Nigerians will decide the 2027 presidential election, not parties,” he said.
Wabara further noted that fear of a compromised electoral process was pushing some politicians towards the ruling party. However, he assured that Nigerians would not allow electoral malpractice to continue.
“Those people defecting know that in 2027, the outcome of the election may not reflect the true will of the people. They may be afraid that the results of the elections may be compromised but Nigerians will not allow such broad-day robbery again,” he said.
Wabara warned that turning Nigeria into a one-party state, as he accused President Tinubu of attempting, would only lead the country towards dictatorship. He urged PDP members not to lose hope, assuring that efforts are ongoing to rebuild and strengthen the party before 2027.
He also mourned the absence of the late elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, suggesting that if Clark were still alive, many Ijaw leaders might not have defected.
“I really mourn the death of Pa Edwin Clark because if he were to be alive, this political rascality in Delta wouldn’t have taken place,” he said.
Senator Wabara remains confident that PDP will emerge stronger, saying that those who stay back will work together to rebuild the party and make it a strong contender in the 2027 polls.
