PDP Holds Emergency Meeting to Counter ‘Hurricane Tinubu’, Prevent More Defections

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an emergency National Working Committee (NWC) meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in a bid to address the growing wave of defections that have shaken the party’s foundations. The meeting, called by the party’s leadership, aims to tackle the unprecedented number of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and explore strategies to prevent further erosion of the PDP’s ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP has been in turmoil following a series of high-profile defections that have led to significant losses in both its political strongholds and federal parliament. The latest and most dramatic shift came from Delta State, traditionally one of the party’s strongholds. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, along with former PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, announced their defection to the APC on April 23, 2025. This move also saw the entire PDP structure in Delta, including the state’s deputy governor, commissioners, and local government chairmen, leaving the party for the ruling APC.

These defections come on the heels of a wave of similar shifts across other states, exacerbating the growing crisis within the PDP. The opposition party has been struggling with internal strife and disarray since the 2023 elections, leading to increasing instability and divisions within its ranks. The most recent loss, that of Oluwole Oke, a five-time member of the House of Representatives from Osun State, marks yet another blow to the PDP’s dwindling influence.

In response to this escalating crisis, the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, has scheduled the emergency meeting for Tuesday, which will take place at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja. This gathering will include key party figures, including NWC members and PDP governors, to discuss the ongoing defections and strategize on how to stem the tide. The meeting will also focus on addressing other internal crises plaguing the party, including disagreements over leadership positions and the handling of state chapters that have been left in disarray.

A source within the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the NWC meeting will specifically address the defections of party members to the APC and seek ways to shore up the party’s remaining base. “There is growing concern that the defections could undermine our chances in the 2027 elections,” the source stated. “We will discuss how to retain our members and re-establish control over our state chapters.”

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, recently reaffirmed as the party’s National Secretary by the Supreme Court, has also pledged to attend the meeting, despite opposition from the PDP Governors Forum led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. Anyanwu emphasized the importance of unity and peace within the party during these challenging times, calling on members to set aside personal interests for the greater good of the PDP.

In the meantime, tensions within the PDP continue to escalate. Many state chapters, especially in the South-South region, are severely weakened, and the party’s National Working Committee has been criticized for its failure to effectively address these issues. The ongoing crisis has raised questions about the party’s ability to present a unified front as the 2027 election approaches.

Additionally, over 300 PDP members are reported to have defected to the APC between February 2024 and February 2025, primarily due to internal conflicts at both the state and national levels. The party’s inability to resolve these conflicts has led to a diminishing of its influence in key regions, further complicating its political landscape.

As the party grapples with these internal challenges, the APC has continued to make significant gains, attracting key figures from the PDP and other opposition parties. In Delta, Governor Oborevwori’s defection is expected to bolster the APC’s position in the region, further strengthening the ruling party’s grip on the country’s political landscape.

The APC is expected to officially welcome Okowa, Oborevwori, and other defectors in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday, with top party officials, including APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, leading the reception.

PDP’s response to this shift has been to intensify efforts to prevent further defections. Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi have called for broader consultations and a more inclusive approach to party leadership. They emphasized the need for reconciliation efforts and a more proactive approach from the PDP leadership to restore confidence among the party’s base.

In a related development, the Presidency has dismissed accusations that the defections are the result of coercion by President Bola Tinubu or his allies. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, stated that the defections were voluntary and based on politicians’ free will to support the ongoing reforms of the current administration.

As the PDP struggles to regroup and regain its footing, it remains to be seen whether the party can overcome the ‘Hurricane Tinubu’ and prevent further defections that could threaten its future prospects in the country’s political arena.