Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has responded to the recent defection of prominent party figures to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that there is no cause for alarm. These defections, including that of PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other high-ranking PDP members, have raised concerns within the party. However, Wabara downplayed the defections, asserting that they would not negatively impact the PDP’s future prospects.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Wabara described the development as “a blessing in disguise” for the PDP, while predicting that the APC would face severe internal problems in the near future. He argued that the influx of PDP members into the ruling party would lead to tensions with long-standing APC members, creating a scenario where these displaced party members would eventually defect to the PDP. “The PDP will laugh last because very soon, there will be implosion in the APC,” Wabara said, explaining that the new joiners would inevitably seek to disrupt the established order within the APC, displacing loyal members.
The PDP BoT chairman noted that defections were a common aspect of Nigerian politics and that the PDP had anticipated these shifts. Wabara acknowledged that while the party would miss the leadership of the defectors, their departure would not weaken the PDP’s chances in the 2027 general elections. “We long expected such defections and we know the reason: Some are doing so for second tenure, and some for protection,” he explained, referring to the motivations behind the defections, which he said were primarily based on personal ambitions and fears over job security.
Despite the defections, Wabara remained confident that the PDP would remain a strong contender in the 2027 elections, dismissing any false sense of hope within the APC. He emphasized that the electorate, who have suffered under the current administration’s policies, would turn out in large numbers to vote for change. “Nigerians who have been subjected to agony and economic hardship as a result of APC’s bad policies and maladministration will use their votes wisely, protect their votes, and ensure that they count,” he added.
In his view, the APC’s leadership should not get too comfortable, as Wabara believed that Nigerians were increasingly aware of the need for change. The defection of some PDP members, he said, was driven by fears that the electoral process in 2027 might not reflect the true will of the people. “Those people defecting know that in 2027, the outcome of the election may not reflect the true will of the people. They may be afraid that the results of the elections may be compromised,” Wabara stated, referring to the skepticism about the integrity of the electoral system.
The PDP BoT Chairman also voiced his concerns about the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suggesting that some defectors feared that the 2027 elections might be manipulated. He stressed that Nigerians would no longer tolerate such electoral malpractice. “The idea of the electoral body writing and announcing any results and asking aggrieved parties to go to court will not work again. Nigerians will vigorously resist anything undemocratic because this country must be made to work for the good of all,” he said, calling for transparency and accountability in future elections.
Wabara also addressed the issue of the mass defection of Ijaw PDP chieftains, particularly in Delta State. He expressed sadness over the loss of the late Ijaw leader Pa Edwin Clark, who he believed would have strongly opposed the defections. “If Pa Edwin Clark were alive, this political rascality in Delta wouldn’t have taken place,” Wabara remarked, lamenting that Clark’s passing had left a leadership vacuum in the Ijaw community. Clark, although not a formal member of the PDP, had been a staunch critic of APC policies and government actions, making him a significant figure in Delta’s political landscape.
Despite the setbacks, Wabara remained optimistic about the PDP’s future. He expressed confidence that the party would bounce back stronger and more united, with the remaining loyalists working hard to rebuild the party in time for the 2027 elections. “There’s no stopping anybody who wants to leave the PDP. We know their reasons. They bother on protection and second term. But those who remain will support the ongoing genuine efforts to rebuild PDP into a winning force before 2027,” Wabara said.
The former Senate President also criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly turning Nigeria into a one-party state, which he claimed posed a serious threat to the country’s democracy. “I have earlier warned against Tinubu turning Nigeria into a one-party state, and it’s all coming to pass now. He has no apologies for that, and this is not good for our democracy,” Wabara warned. He cautioned that stifling opposition parties could lead to tyranny and despotism, undermining the democratic process.
Wabara’s message to PDP members across the country was one of resilience and focus. He urged them not to be demoralized by the defections and instead, to remain united in the effort to reclaim power from the APC in 2027. “Progressive Nigerians from other political platforms will join the PDP to rescue Nigeria from the APC in 2027,” he concluded, expressing his belief that the party would emerge victorious in the next election.
