ABUJA (FN), Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike declared Sunday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no factions, urging defectors to return under a “soft landing” arrangement. Speaking at the party’s 10th Elective National Convention, Wike said loyal members had reclaimed the PDP after years of internal disputes.
The statement drew mixed reactions across Nigeria. PDP’s National Working Committee welcomed the call, with Wike urging reconciliation committees to reach out to aggrieved members. Abdulrahman Muhammed, chairman of the Wike-aligned faction, rejected merger talks with the African Democratic Congress, insisting PDP must preserve its identity.
On social media, supporters hailed Wike’s offer as a step toward unity, while critics argued it rewards opportunism. “Defections weaken democracy,” one user wrote on X. “Why should defectors be welcomed back without accountability?” Others said reconciliation was necessary if PDP hopes to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Analysts said the conciliatory tone reflects PDP’s urgent need to rebuild credibility ahead of the elections. Civil society groups warned that repeated defections erode ideological stability, while academics noted that party-switching has long shaped Nigeria’s political culture, citing precedents dating back to the 1951 NCNC defections.
Whether defectors accept Wike’s offer may determine the PDP’s ability to reassert itself as Nigeria’s main opposition force.
