A former Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Roland Owie, has expressed grave doubts about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that the party is on the brink of collapse and may not survive its current state of disintegration.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Owie criticized the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP, describing it as a charade. According to him, the gathering failed to reflect the seriousness expected of a leading opposition party and instead showcased a room full of “enablers, political relics, and morally bankrupt operators” desperately clinging to what remains of a once-formidable political institution.
Owie’s comments come amid escalating internal discord that has plagued the PDP since the 2023 general elections. A major source of the crisis stems from the actions of former Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, who, in a widely publicized move, worked against the PDP presidential candidate by supporting the eventual winner, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike’s open defiance, even while remaining a PDP member, sent shockwaves through the party hierarchy and fractured the already delicate internal unity.
The situation became more controversial when Wike, after his appointment as Minister in the APC-led federal government, boldly declared that he would work to ensure Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. His continued dual allegiance serving in the APC government while maintaining PDP membership has triggered widespread discontent and fueled fears of mass defections among PDP stalwarts.
Reacting to the looming implosion, some party leaders still holding out hope for the PDP’s revival have initiated reconciliation efforts. At the forefront of this initiative is the appointment of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as the chairman of a seven-member reconciliation committee. The committee’s mandate is to engage with aggrieved stakeholders and attempt to restore unity before the upcoming national convention slated for August.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who serves as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), made the announcement while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting in Abuja. The meeting was attended by current PDP governors, several former governors, National Working Committee (NWC) members, and other senior party figures.
“We are here with all the governors elected under the party, that are still in the party, and a substantial number of former PDP governors. Also present are our leaders, the party chairman, and some members of the National Working Committee,” Mohammed stated.
He acknowledged that the party is currently grappling with what he described as “existential issues,” adding that the discussions were centered on strategies to stabilize the PDP ahead of the NEC meeting scheduled for May 27 and the August convention.
Despite the establishment of the Saraki-led reconciliation panel, skepticism remains about the effectiveness of the effort. Critics argue that the damage inflicted by high-profile defections and internal betrayal, especially from individuals like Wike, has weakened the PDP’s foundations to the point of no return.
Senator Owie’s assessment adds to the growing concern that the PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant ruling party, may be heading toward political irrelevance unless a radical transformation is implemented urgently.
