Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can recover from its current setbacks and return stronger if it takes bold steps to reform and refocus its operations.
Ikpeazu stated this while speaking with journalists at his country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area, where he described the PDP’s present crisis as a “natural growth phase” that every organization passes through.
The former governor said the party needs to embrace innovation, internal reform, and renewed commitment to social justice, which he described as vital for restoring public trust.
“The PDP must begin to do things differently and focus on social justice. Social justice is as important as security because people are reluctant to participate in governance when they feel unfairly treated,” he said.
Ikpeazu explained that the PDP’s decline began when its members became complacent and took the party’s dominance for granted. He warned that unless the right corrective steps are taken, the party could hit “rock bottom” before it rises again.
“The PDP risks hitting the bottom before it can rise again if something drastic is not done,” he cautioned.
He urged Nigerians and members of other political parties not to celebrate the PDP’s current internal struggles, noting that such challenges are common in every large political organization.
“What is happening to the PDP today is a natural response to the growth curve,” Ikpeazu said.
“There are four phases — the growth phase, where input equals output; the phase of diminishing returns, when input no longer matches output; and eventually, decline. It’s a natural pattern that can affect any political party or organization.”
Ikpeazu expressed confidence that the PDP, with its long history and deep grassroots structures, has the potential to recover if it learns from past mistakes and rebuilds trust among members and the electorate.
He called for unity within the party, adding that only through teamwork, fairness, and innovation can the PDP reposition itself as a credible alternative to the ruling party.
The PDP, which ruled Nigeria for 16 years before losing power to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, has faced leadership crises and internal divisions in recent years, especially after the 2023 general elections.
