PDP chieftain decries plans to adopt one-party system in North Central

From Idu Jude, Abuja

Ahead of Saturday’s PDP North Central zonal election in Jos, Plateau State, stakeholders have been urged to reject practices that undermine the party’s structure. Such actions, warned Hon Abraham Ajiya, could aid efforts to dismantle the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the region.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, May 21, Hon. Ajiya, an aspirant for National Vice Chairman, North Central, raised concerns about threats to the PDP’s integrity. “I speak not just as an aspirant for the position of National Vice Chairman, North Central, of our great party, the PDP, but as a committed party man, a grassroots mobiliser, and a believer in the founding vision of the party as the true vessel of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

He spoke of a deliberate plot to weaken the PDP in the North Central through imposition and external influence. “It is no longer in doubt that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, working through a former PDP Senator, Philip Aduda, is actively promoting a candidate for the office of National Vice Chairman, North Central, not to strengthen the PDP, but to deliver our zone to the ruling APC as part of a wider political strategy for 2027,” Ajiya stated. He called this move a subversion of democracy, adding, “Let me be clear: this is not a democracy; it is subversion.”

Ajiya stressed that the PDP in the North Central is not for sale. “The North Central zone is not a pawn in a political chess game. It is the birthplace of the PDP, home of our first national chairman, the great Chief Solomon Lar of blessed memory,” he said. He warned that the alleged push to install Mr Abdulraham, backed by Aduda and Wike, aims to compromise the party’s internal democracy and merge its structures into the APC.

He pointed to signs of this agenda, including defections in the FCT, secret meetings, and financial inducements to delegates. “We have seen the warning signs of defections in the FCT, closed-door meetings, strategic endorsements, and financial inducements to delegates all pointing to an agenda that does not serve the interest of our party or the Nigerian people,” he said.

Ajiya reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, noting his unwavering commitment since 1999. “Let me say without hesitation: I am not afraid of a free, fair, and credible contest. I welcome it. My record speaks for itself. Since 1999, I have remained in the PDP. I have never jumped ship. I have never betrayed our cause. I have served, mobilised, and stood firm with the party—through the highs and the lows. My loyalty is total, and my commitment is unquestionable,” he declared.

Offering himself for leadership, he said, “I am offering myself to serve, to help rebuild, reunite, and reposition our party for victory, not just in 2027, but beyond. To serve with honesty, vision, and grassroots-driven leadership.”

He urged PDP delegates and stakeholders in Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, and the FCT to resist manipulation and defend the party’s integrity at the zonal congress.