The Weakening Structure and Diminishing Capability of the PDP: Will the Party Survive the Storm Before 2027?

 The Weakening Structure and Diminishing Capability of the PDP: Will the Party Survive the Storm Before 2027?

By Dr. Akinlooye Sarafadeen Olatunde



In Nigeria’s fast-paced and drama-filled political landscape, few parties have enjoyed the power and prominence once held by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). From ruling the country uninterrupted between 1999 and 2015, the party now faces a creeping erosion of its foundational structures, internal coherence, and public trust. With the 2027 general elections drawing nearer, PDP's relevance is under fierce interrogation, especially following recent political tremors involving defections, infighting, and strategic disloyalties across key states—Osun being a notable example.


A Historical Context of Dominance to Decline


PDP once prided itself as the largest political party in Africa. It had a well-oiled political machinery, deeply rooted grassroots structures, and influential powerbrokers across the six geopolitical zones. However, its fall from presidential grace in 2015 marked the beginning of an identity crisis and recurring internal fractures. Subsequent presidential losses in 2019 and 2023 only compounded these issues, exposing the party’s inability to reform or unify under a common ideology or vision.


Recent Defections: A Grim Reality Check


In the last few months, the PDP has witnessed an increasing rate of defections from both prominent national figures and regional political stalwarts. Of significant concern is the unfolding situation in Osun State, one of PDP's strongest political bases in the Southwest.


Reports from The Nation and Daily Trust (July 2025 editions) confirm that several PDP "big wigs" in Osun—among them, former lawmakers, senior aides, and notable financiers—have either defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or are currently in talks with third-force movements. These defections signal deep-rooted dissatisfaction and perceived lack of reward or clear direction within the PDP's state hierarchy.


Even more troubling are strong speculations regarding Governor Ademola Adeleke’s alleged contemplation of defecting from the PDP, citing internal pressures, unresolved grievances with national party leadership, and powerplay tussles with the Abuja-based PDP elite. Though the governor has neither confirmed nor denied these speculations, the silence is deafening—and politically damaging. His defection, should it occur, could severely cripple PDP's hold on Osun State and shake its national perception.


Causative Factors Behind the PDP’s Decline


Several key issues can be identified as fuelling the weakening structure and capabilities of the PDP:


1. Leadership Vacuum and Poor Internal Democracy: PDP continues to suffer from leadership instability. Factions within the party—led by competing egos—create parallel structures and undermine consensus.


2. Governor-Driven Politics: PDP has become increasingly governor-dependent, with state executives controlling party structures and sidelining national agenda.


3. Lack of Ideological Direction: The party’s ideological ambiguity has made it hard to sell to the Nigerian electorate.


4. Failure to Build a Youthful, Media-Savvy Base: In the age of digital politics, PDP has failed to woo Nigeria’s massive youth demographic.


5. Tactical Failures in Reconciliation: The party’s internal reconciliation mechanisms are weak, often resolving only on paper while deeper divisions linger.


Wave of Defections Across Nigeria: A Dangerous Trend for PDP


The following high-profile defections from PDP since early 2025 provide a troubling overview of the party’s structural hemorrhaging:


Senators Francis Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun) defected to APC (Vanguard, July 2025).


Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa formally joined the APC in April 2025 (BusinessDay, April 23, 2025).


Governor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) defected to APC in June 2025 (The Nation, June 2025).


Three Kebbi Senators—Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki—switched to APC in May 2025 (Premium Times, May 2025).


Reps members from Katsina (Abubakar Aliyu, Yusuf Majigiri, Abdullahi Balarabe) left for APC (ICIR Nigeria, May 2025).


Oluwole Oke (Osun Rep) and Peter Akpanke (Cross River Rep) also left PDP citing internal crises (Guardian, June 2025).


In Borno State, former PDP gubernatorial aspirants like Idris Durkwa defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), leading mass exodus (Vanguard, July 2025).


These defections have significantly reduced PDP’s influence in the Senate and House of Representatives while further weakening its gubernatorial alliances across the zones.


Is There a Path to Redemption Before 2027?


Yes, but the clock is ticking—and loudly.


To salvage its dwindling relevance ahead of the 2027 elections, the PDP must urgently:


Reorganize its national leadership with credible, grassroots-connected figures.


Reach out sincerely to disgruntled members, especially in states like Osun, Rivers, and Delta.


Empower youth and grassroots units with real access to candidacy and party machinery.


Rebrand ideologically, separating itself from the APC with fresh policy direction.


Stabilize Osun, ensuring Governor Adeleke remains firmly in the fold and key stakeholders are reassured of their roles.


Conclusion


The PDP must either reform or risk permanent political extinction. The ongoing chaos in Osun State and similar patterns across the country are not mere warning signs—they are alarms. If the PDP leadership cannot recalibrate its structures, reconcile its factions, and reconnect with the grassroots before 2027, then the party might enter that election as a fragmented shadow of its once towering self.


In a democratic contest, strength is measured not by past glory, but by present relevance. The PDP must now decide whether it still has the political will to fight or quietly surrender to the tides of history.


References:

Vanguard Newspaper (July 2025)

Daily Trust (July 2025)

BusinessDay (April 2025)

The Nation (June 2025)

Premium Times (May 2025)

ICIR Nigeria (May 2025)

Guardian Nigeria (June 2025)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking News: former Governor of Osun State, Ọgbẹni AbdulRauf Aregbesola and his Loyalists Finally Pull out of All Progressive Party (APC), to announce new party soon.

Image
Breaking News: former Governor of Osun State, Ọgbẹni AbdulRauf Aregbesola and his Loyalists Finally Pull out of All Progressive Party (APC), to announce new party soon. Giving an update about this development on Sunday, a core loyalist to Aregbesola and former Egbedore caretaker member, Hon. Adabanija Oladepo, said the group will soon announce a new party. It has been earlier reported that Hon. Adabanija, who was a former Egbedore caretaker member under Aregbesola’s administration, said he had been a member of the progressive party before the creation of Osun State and the transformation of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into the APC. He added that his participation in politics has spanned over 30 years and emphasized that he is done with the APC. In a post on his verified Facebook page recently announced his departure from APC, Adabanija wrote, ” Once Upon a time an APC member,not just ordinary member but very active one for that matter. “If you are in doubt about this informati...
Read more

BREAKING NEWS LG Poll: Osun Govt Vindicated as APC Withdraws Reinstatement /No-Vacancy Suit at Federal High Court

Image
  BREAKING NEWS LG Poll: Osun Govt Vindicated as APC Withdraws Reinstatement /No-Vacancy Suit at Federal High Court Amidst Supreme Court ruling on local government election, Osun state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has hurriedly filed a notice of discontinuance on its case seeking declaration that there is no vacancy at the local government level and a reinstatement of its Yes/No Chairmen. The case filed before the local government election sought a declaration and an order that there is no vacancy and so local government elections should not be held in Osun state. The case was ongoing when the Supreme Court ruled that the Rivers state local government election was illegally conducted and therefore null and void. The Court had held that the election in Rivers was conducted without complying with the letters of the electoral act which stipulates one year notice of election.  The APC had filed the case relying on the Court of Appeal ruling in Akure which had no c...
Read more

Re: Death by Hanging for Stealing fowl. Upholding the Integrity of the Judiciary and Setting the Record Straight on the Conviction of Olowookere Segun and Morakinyo Sunday

Image
 Re: Death by Hanging for Stealing fowl. Upholding the Integrity of the Judiciary and Setting the Record Straight on the Conviction of Olowookere Segun and Morakinyo Sunday By: .... Akinwole Olasubomi A. The Osun State Government's recent consideration of the prerogative of mercy for convicted individuals has drawn significant attention and have invariably stirred public opinion based on incomplete or misleading narratives. While this action demonstrates the government’s commitment to exercising compassion and upholding constitutional provisions, it is imperative that such privilege is not misinterpreted or misused to distort the sanctity of judicial decisions. Misleading narratives aimed at undermining the judiciary not only threaten public trust but also obscure the real facts surrounding this case. The Osun State Government deserves commendation for its thoughtful approach to this matter, particularly its willingness to consider clemency in light of the convicts' circumstanc...
Read more