Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has vehemently opposed any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to transform Nigeria into a one-party state. His statement comes in response to the reported mass resignations of key PDP members in the South East geopolitical zone, which he attributes to the alleged machinations of the APC.
The recent resignation of former Imo State Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, citing the lingering controversy over the position of the PDP National Secretary, triggered a wave of resignations within the party. Among those reported to have resigned are prominent figures such as Chief Chris Okewulonu, former BoT member, and several zonal and state officers.
Senator Wabara reassured that the PDP BoT would intervene swiftly to stem further defections and prevent the destabilization of the party. He emphasized the BoT's commitment to safeguarding the integrity and unity of the PDP against external pressures and internal conflicts. According to Vanguard News reports, Wabara said, “The BoT will never allow the APC to use some characters in the PDP to turn this beautiful and sweet Nation (Nigeria) into a one party state. “
Acknowledging internal challenges, Wabara expressed confidence in the party's ability to resolve grievances and maintain its cohesiveness. He highlighted the wealth of experience and political acumen within the PDP, suggesting that the party possesses the necessary resources to overcome its current predicament. The ongoing crisis within the PDP is widely seen as a manifestation of the power struggle between potential presidential contenders, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. However, Senator Wabara remains optimistic about the party's resilience, dismissing speculations of its imminent demise.