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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Acting Zonal Chairman, North Central Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Francis Orogu, has dismissed insinuations that the party is currently embroiled in division, insisting that its structures at all levels remain strong and united.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday in his office at the PDP party Secretariat in Lafia, Orogu said attempts by a few individuals to create confusion would not derail the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections.
He argued that Nasarawa State remains a “PDP state in spirit and electoral strength,” despite the party being out of power for nearly 16 years.
According to him, PDP’s dominance in local government and general elections is evident, regardless of outcomes announced by electoral bodies. “It is no longer news that Nasarawa State is a PDP state. Even though we lost the governorship for almost 16 years altogether, it doesn’t feel like we ever left because we have remained with the people,” Orogu said.
“In every election, local government or general, PDP has always been at the top. Unfortunately, the results are not always announced in our favour.”
Orogu described the current tension within the party as an “unnecessary and unwarranted confusion” allegedly instigated by individuals placing personal ambition above collective interest. He warned that if not curtailed, such actions could undermine the chances of aspirants for the presidency, governorship, National Assembly, and other positions.
He rejected claims that the PDP is factionalised, stating that the core structures of the party remain intact. “How can a party be divided when the local government EXCOs and ward EXCOs are intact? How can it be divided when the state chairmen are on one side with the leadership?” he queried.
According to him, over 26 state chairmen duly elected at their state congresses were present at the last national convention, affirming the unity of the party. He added that the temporary lock-up of the national secretariat building did not affect party operations.
“Locking a building does not stop the party from existing. The secretariat staff are working from temporary locations. INEC is still communicating with us,” he said.
On the wave of defections from the party, Orogu attributed some exits to fear and others to what he termed “compromised judicial processes.” He alleged that certain judges in the FCT handle PDP-related suits with biased outcomes, prompting the party to petition them.
“Not all of them are leaving because of fear; some are sellouts, some have been compromised,” he said.
Orogu maintained that the next governor of Nasarawa State must be an indigene, regardless of religious or party affiliation. He lamented the trend of leaders allegedly channelling development and resources to other states while neglecting their constituencies.
“Enough is enough. We want a native of Nasarawa to become governor, whether Muslim or Christian. We cannot continue having leaders who owe allegiance to people outside the state,” he said.
Speaking on his mandate as the acting zonal chairman for North Central, Orogu said his primary responsibility is stabilising the party and strengthening its state chapters. He affirmed loyalty to the leadership elected at the last national convention, dismissing the claims of what he described as “four individuals parading themselves as party leaders.”
He assured that the zonal executive would work with stakeholders across states to rebuild confidence and reposition the party ahead of the next election cycle.
“Once we stabilize, the next election cycle in the North Central will be far better than previous ones. Those governors who left in the name of division will be replaced by the people if they fail to return when the window opens,” he stated.
Orogu reaffirmed the PDP’s strong presence in the North Central region and Nasarawa State, saying no artificial crisis can erode the party’s grassroots support.
