Niyi Aborisade, a human rights lawyer based in the United Kingdom and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently shared his insights on the current political landscape in Nigeria. In an exclusive conversation with ROTIMI AGBOLUAJE, he accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately instigating internal crises within opposition parties, aiming to weaken them ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Concerns About the Opposition and PDP’s Future
When asked about the challenges facing Nigeria’s opposition parties, particularly the PDP, Aborisade affirmed his commitment to the party but expressed deep concern over its present state. He stated, “I am still a registered and active member of the PDP. Yet, the current dynamics within the party make it extremely challenging to foresee its future.”
He emphasized that political parties are meant to serve as vehicles for ideological expression, organizational cohesion, and the aggregation of collective interests. “Sadly, what we are seeing today is a PDP struggling to define its identity, maintain internal cohesion, and even protect its existence. For someone like me who strongly believes in opposition politics as a cornerstone of democracy, witnessing this decline is both troubling and painful.”
Is the PDP Facing an Existential Crisis?
Aborisade was cautious but realistic when discussing whether the PDP could survive its internal turmoil. He noted, “I am not claiming to predict the future. Politics is fluid, and unexpected turnarounds can occur. However, when evaluated objectively, the PDP faces an existential crisis.”
Internal conflicts have reached unprecedented levels. Factions within the party have solidified, reconciliation attempts have repeatedly failed, and trust among party leaders is virtually nonexistent. “The uncertainty is so profound that many members, from grassroots operatives to senior leaders, are unsure if the PDP will be able to field candidates in upcoming elections,” Aborisade added.
Such instability is lethal for any political organization. Without guaranteed participation in elections, a party cannot effectively mobilize members, raise funds, or inspire voter confidence. Aborisade warned that without urgent corrective measures, the PDP could face a structural collapse.
Root Causes of the PDP Crisis
Aborisade identified internal power struggles and personal ambition as the core drivers of the party’s crisis. He explained that some members prioritize individual gain over collective survival, seeing the PDP as a ladder for personal advancement rather than a platform for national service.
“Once personal ambitions are threatened, some actors are willing to jeopardize the entire party. This is particularly tragic because mechanisms for conflict resolution were available. Even interventions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including a roundtable discussion led by its chairman, failed to produce meaningful results. Instead of compromise, entrenched positions hardened further.”
The conflict has escalated beyond party structures, reaching the Court of Appeal, and may eventually move to the Supreme Court. According to Aborisade, “Relying on prolonged litigation to determine a party’s fate is a dangerous gamble for anyone whose political career is tied to that platform.”
How Can the PDP Salvage Its Situation?
The PDP’s salvation, Aborisade believes, lies in genuine compromise. “Politics is negotiation, not warfare. For the PDP to survive, leaders must set aside ego, bitterness, and the desire to win every internal skirmish. Both sides must be willing to make concessions to save the party.”
He added that no court judgment, media strategy, or propaganda campaign can replace internal reconciliation. Litigation may bring technical victories, but unity is achieved only through dialogue, concessions, and goodwill. Without such measures, the PDP will continue to decline, regardless of court orders or public statements.
The Wike Saga: Suspension and Counter-Suspension
The suspension and counter-suspension involving former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Aborisade argued, have turned into a political circus. “Certain party organs claim to have suspended Wike, while he claims to have suspended those who allegedly suspended him. Yet, he continues to consider himself a PDP member while actively undermining the party.”
Wike’s reported parallel party structures, support for rival platforms, and threats of alternative conventions have created confusion both in Rivers State and nationally. “At this point, predicting who will prevail is nearly impossible. Beyond the drama, however, lies a deeper political dimension,” Aborisade noted.
The Hidden Forces Behind the Crisis
Aborisade invoked a Yoruba proverb to illustrate the situation: “The insect dancing on the surface of water is responding to the drummer beneath.” The visible actors may be obvious, but the true drivers of the crisis—the “drummers”—remain hidden yet powerful. He implied that forces beyond the PDP itself are sustaining the turmoil.
When pressed about the identity of these forces, Aborisade pointed directly to the APC-led Federal Government and the Presidency. “The facts are telling: Wike is a serving minister under the APC government, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has defected to the APC, and governors in Plateau and Taraba states have also abandoned the PDP for the APC.”
This, he contends, suggests a deliberate effort by the ruling party to weaken opposition structures and consolidate power ahead of the 2027 elections.
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