Internal Strife Threatens PDP Strongholds: Rivers, Edo, Imo, Abia

The once formidable grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Rivers, Imo, and Abia states is now showing signs of weakness, with internal disputes, defections, and anti-party activities raising concerns about the party’s future in these regions.

In Rivers and Edo states, where the PDP holds sway, and in Imo and Abia states, controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP’s influence is under threat due to persistent leadership clashes and defections.

The party’s struggle to regain power since losing the central government in 2015 has seen it grapple with more setbacks than progress, particularly at the state level.

Tensions within the party reached a peak recently with calls for the removal of the acting national chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, amid accusations of being an APC mole. This internal strife is emblematic of the ongoing power struggle between factions led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

In Imo State, over 200 prominent party members, including former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, defected from the PDP. Ihedioha’s departure underscores the deep-seated divisions within the party, with conflicting narratives about its future trajectory.

Elder statesman Prof. Jude Njoku lamented the PDP’s state in Imo, describing it as “clinically dead,” attributing the party’s decline to internal disunity and a lack of adherence to democratic principles.

Similarly, in Rivers State, the party’s dominance is eroding due to a bitter feud between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. Wike’s grip on the party apparatus contrasts sharply with the dwindling support for the current governor, exacerbating the party’s internal strife.

The situation is no less dire in Edo State, where the PDP faces a precarious future ahead of the gubernatorial elections. Divisions between Governor Godwin Obaseki’s faction and the Legacy Group, led by PDP South-South vice chairman Chief Dan Orbih, threaten to derail the party’s prospects.

The Legacy Group accuses Obaseki of betrayal, highlighting deep-seated animosities that could undermine the party’s unity and electoral prospects.

Meanwhile, in Abia State, the PDP has suffered a series of defections, with former council chairmen among those abandoning the party. The exodus underscores growing discontent within the party ranks, raising questions about its ability to maintain its stronghold.