The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Federal Government of using state development as a means of political pressure, claiming that governors and elected officials are being coerced to defect to the ruling party through a system that favours those aligned with it. The opposition party warned that such practices threaten Nigeria’s democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegation was made on Friday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, during an appearance on the Arise News Morning Show hosted by Dr Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni, and Ayo Mairo-Ese, which focused on the shrinking space for opposition parties and the recent wave of defections from the PDP.
Addressing the exits of the Osun and Rivers State governors and their allies, Ememobong said the trend reflects a troubling political climate where leaders feel compelled to align with the centre to secure development for their states.
“People say they want to ‘connect to the centre.’ This implies that the central system is not egalitarian but nepotistic, dispensing governance favours based on political loyalty,” he said. He argued that this rationale for defection exposes a structural problem where development becomes a political reward rather than a constitutional right. “If you do not connect to the centre, you cannot take development home. That is undemocratic and anti-development,” he added.
Ememobong also acknowledged that internal challenges within the PDP contributed to the crisis. He explained that the party’s initial decision not to discipline members who undermined it in the 2023 elections, taken in the spirit of reconciliation, had unintended consequences.
“At the time, what is now called reluctance was actually forbearance and perseverance. We hoped wounds would heal after the 2023 elections, but some individuals instead doubled down rather than return to rationality,” he said.
Despite these setbacks, Ememobong stated that the PDP is taking corrective measures. The National Working Committee (NWC) has engaged state chairmen, ex-officio members, and House of Representatives members to assess the situation in their states and develop new strategies.
He also addressed confusion over the party’s leadership following claims that a faction allegedly supported by Nyesom Wike is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ememobong dismissed the claim, insisting that party structures remain intact under Kabir Tanimu Turaki.
“Legitimacy starts from the foundation. The staff of the party, state chairmen, Board of Trustees, and ex-officio members are aligned with K.T. Turaki. Those claiming otherwise cannot challenge the government because they have openly declared support for the President in 2027,” he said. Ememobong added that the PDP is awaiting judicial clarity from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on leadership matters, noting that a swift resolution would stabilise the party.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence in the PDP’s ability to recover, citing its resilience since its formation. “In 1998, we had no governors or senators, but we built all of this. The quantitative voice of the people will compete with the qualitative voice of the elites,” he said.
