The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has downplayed the significance of recent defections from the party, stating that there is no cause for alarm following the departure of the PDP’s 2023 vice presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other party stalwarts to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While acknowledging that the PDP would “surely miss” those who have left, the former Senate President maintained that their exit would not weaken the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
Describing the defections as “a blessing in disguise,” Wabara predicted that the APC would face internal crisis soon.
“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,” he said.
Speaking with Vanguard, Wabara said he was unsurprised by the high-profile defections, noting that “decampment in politics is not unusual.”
He attributed the departures to various factors such as political survival, disillusionment with the electoral process, and the desire for a second term.
“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,” Wabara explained.
He stressed that despite the movements, the 2027 elections would not be a walkover for the APC. According to him, Nigerians have suffered enough and would use their votes wisely to demand change.
“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 asserted.
Wabara further argued that the lack of confidence in the electoral umpire is also driving political figures towards the ruling party, as they seek to safeguard their political ambitions.
“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.”
“The idea of the electoral body writing and announcing any results and asking aggrieved parties to go to court will not work again.”
“Nigerians will vigorously resist anything undemocratic because this country must be made to work for the good of all,” he warned.
He suggested that some defectors believe the APC may allow a token number of opposition victories to give an illusion of electoral credibility, but maintained that the 2027 contest would essentially be a battle between Nigerians and the APC.
“The fear of the decampees is that the APC might want to give one or two states to the opposition to create the impression that the election was democratic.”
“But the bitter truth is that the 2027 election will be between the APC and Nigerians determined to rescue their country from political hijackers,” he said.
Reflecting on the political shifts in Delta State, Wabara lamented that such defections might not have occurred if the late Ijaw elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark, were still alive.
“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. Even though Pa Clark was not a card-carrying member of the PDP, he was not in support of the APC policies and Government.”
“The Ijaws in Delta PDP wouldn’t have disrespected Pa Edwin Clark by taking that decision,” he stated.
Despite the setbacks, Wabara remained optimistic about the PDP’s future.
He said that the party would rebound and rebuild its structures with the commitment of those who have remained loyal.
“There’s no stopping anybody who wants to leave the PDP. We know their reasons. They bother on protection and second term. But those who remain will support the on-going genuine efforts to rebuild PDP into a winning force before 2027,” he affirmed.
Again accusing President Bola Tinubu of attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, Wabara warned that undermining the opposition would endanger the country’s democracy.
“I have earlier warned against Tinubu turning Nigeria into one-party state and it’s all coming to pass now. He has no apologies for that, and this is not good for our democracy,” he said.
He urged PDP members nationwide to stay resilient and focus on strengthening the party’s structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
