The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-South region, Dan Orbih, has called on the national leadership of the party to end what he described as internal impunity and disregard for the party’s constitution.
His statement comes amid the ongoing internal crisis rocking the PDP since before and after the 2023 general elections.
The crisis has worsened in recent months, triggering a wave of defections of prominent members of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Among those who have dumped the PDP for the APC are the governors of Delta and Akwa Ibom states, Sheriff Oborevwori and Umo Eno, respectively.
Several national and state lawmakers have also left the party for the APC.
Commenting on the development, Orbih, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, expressed concern over what he described as growing dissatisfaction among members due to the party’s decision-making processes.
He said the situation had created frustration and prompted defections, adding that unless the PDP retraced its steps, the party’s future remained bleak.
“It is obvious that a lot of people are not happy with the state of the party. Our impunity and our decision never to follow the rules have affected us badly, and we must put our house in order, whether we like it or not,” Orbih said.
Taking a swipe at some party leaders who continue to defend what he called flawed decisions under the guise of party supremacy, Orbih declared that the constitution, not individuals, must guide the PDP.
He said, “I have come out clearly to state that the party is not supreme, but the constitution is. Once we are guided by the provisions of the constitution in everything we do, the party will come out stronger and better.”
Orbih recalled the refusal of some governors to support the outcome of a South-South congress because of personal affiliations with elected candidates.
He described the situation as unfortunate and an example of how personal interests were being allowed to override democratic processes within the party.
Calling for internal cleansing, he said, “There should be internal sanitisation of the party. Let us see what we are not doing right. Let us see how we can correct our mistakes and do things differently from what has brought us to this sorry state.”
The PDP chieftain also questioned the sincerity of some party leaders who were allegedly spearheading a coalition while still holding sensitive roles in the PDP.
According to Orbih, the coalition lacks transparency, and the leadership owes members a clear explanation of what the party stands to gain from the alliance
