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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it expects nothing short of absolute loyalty from its members across the country.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, at a press briefing at the Wadata Plaza, yesterday, reiterated that the party would not condone any form of anti-party activity by its members.
Ologunagba, who explained that the opposition party, having resolved all its internal challenges, was focused on conducting a national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said if errant members remained recalcitrant, they would be sanctioned through suspension or outright expulsion, depending on the weight of their offence.
The party had, last week, in a statement by Ologunagba, warned that going forward, there would be sanctions against any member involved in anti-party activities.
Recently, some PDP leaders, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, publicly expressed support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu. The Osun State chapter of the PDP has also endorsed Tinubu for a second term.
Nonetheless, the opposition spokesman explained that, “the NWC, after so much review of all the issues, decided to issue a reprimand, which is in line with section 59 of our Constitution that stipulates the steps that should be taken if they are infractions. Anti party activities by whatever name, shape or size, will not be condoned, and we are very serious about that.
“We have a constitution and we need to live by that constitution. We intend to do that and we are going to do that. The reprimand is the first leg in the process of procedure to remind people that they have a duty as party members to obey the constitution and abide by its provision.
“And that is what we have done. In that stake, we have indicated that there are other series of actions that can take place in the event that people decide to disobey those provisions; of course, other actions can follow.
“And there are several of such. Part of that is reprimand, suspension or expulsion, depending on the category. But, there is a zero tolerance for anti party activities in the party.
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“Loyalty is a personal thing and when you’re in a party like this, we have said we demand it. If at any point we find out that you don’t give it, the constitution will kick in. We demand 100 percent loyalty from our members. We have issued that statement and it is working. That’s our position today.”
Ologunagba, in response to questions on whether or not the PDP is talking with former President Goodluck Jonathan and the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to contest the 2027 presidential poll on its platform, said both men are in a better position to answer the question.
He said: “Our party today has great prospects for presidential candidates. I mentioned governors now and what they’ve done. This party has many exceedingly qualified and performing governors that can set up the place to become president of this country.
“So, the question you’re asking me, is Jonathan contesting? Ask him. I don’t speak for former President Jonathan. You go and ask him. You have access to him, I know. So, ask him. It’s not for me to speculate. That’s your imagination. I don’t know why you’re asking that question. Ask Obi, who is talking to him.”
On the demand by Wike for the recognition of Chief Dan Orbih as the PDP National Vice Chairman, South South, he explained that following the expiration of the tenure of the South South Zonal Working Committee in March this year, the party, in line with its rules, set up a caretaker committee, headed by Elder Emma Ogidi, pending the conduct of a zonal congress.
He maintained that the PDP would continue to abide by its constitution and would not accept any condition from anyone.
“In March this year, the tenure of the South-South Zonal Committee expired by the effluxion of time. The party, consistent with the constitution, decided within the power of the party, being exercised through the National Working Committee, to set up a Zonal Caretaker Committee for the South-South, headed by Elder Emma Ogidi.
“That committee, in line with the processes of the party, was to formally inaugurate that committee. And that committee has since started work. It has been working seamlessly. So, there can only be one way to have that process. That process has been followed.
“The PDP has not, and will not even take conditions from anybody who will follow that constitution anyway. We have a South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee and it has been functioning as such.”
