The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have engaged in a war of words over allegations of the deliberate extinction of the PDP by the ruling party.
As reported by PUNCH, Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President and Chairman of the PDP's Board of Trustees, stated that the PDP would resist attempts by the APC to eradicate the party in the South-East and the entire country.
However, the APC dismissed the claims, describing them as laughable.
Speaking in response to questions about the reported mass resignations of key PDP members in the South-East geopolitical zone, Wabara raised concerns about the APC's alleged efforts to establish a one-party state in Nigeria.
He emphasized that the PDP's Board of Trustees would intervene promptly to prevent the deliberate extinction of the party, relying on the wisdom and integrity of its distinguished members.
Wabara stated, "The BoT will wade in expeditiously to save the deliberate and planned extinction of this great party, the PDP. The BoT, with an array of distinguished men and women of invaluable experience and integrity, will surely salvage the party. It did it once and shall do it again, no matter whose ox is gored. We will never allow the APC to use some characters in the party to turn this Nation into a one-party state."
The PDP has experienced a series of resignations, triggered by the departure of former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, and several key members and officials in Imo State. The controversy surrounding the position of the PDP National Secretary has also contributed to the resignations.
In response, the APC dismissed the allegations made by the PDP's Board of Trustees, considering them to be laughable. Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the APC, distanced the party from the internal crisis plaguing the PDP. Arodiogbu explained that defections are a common occurrence in politics, particularly when major elections are imminent.
He further stated that the defectors themselves have cited their discomfort within the PDP as the reason for their departure.
Arodiogbu said, "Defection is normal in politics. If people feel they are not comfortable in a place, they can move. I think that is what is going on. There is a barrage of crisis going on in the PDP. Some of those leaving even told me that the umbrella is leaking, and that is why they are leaving*.
"How can they claim the APC is motivating most of the defections happening in the South-East when it is obvious that these defectors are heading in different directions? Some of them are moving to the Labour Party from what I have learned. We are also expecting people to move from LP to other parties. It is a natural movement after elections."