By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. The resignation of two People’s Democratic Party (PDP) former governors of Imo State Emeka Ihedioha and that of Katsina State Barrister Ibrahim Shema is considered to be a serious blow to the main opposition Party which has been suffering from different crises right from the 2023 pre-elections period up to the moment that the two-party camps under the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was the Party Presidential Candidate during the 2023 elections and the other under the incumbent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike who is the former Rivers State governor.
The most prominent issue disturbing the peace of the party is that of divergent interest in controlling the party structure which is now under Ambassador Damagum as the acting national chairman since the suspension of the PDP substantive chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu in 2023.
Why did Former governors of Imo and Katsina leave PDP?
The former Imo state Governor Emeka Ihedioha who governed the South East state from 29th May 2019 to 14th January 2020 was a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on the platform of the same Party -PDP.
The former governor resigned his membership of the PDP recently through a letter addressed to the chairperson of the party in his Mbutu Ward in Mbise Local Government Area of Imo state through a letter dated 23 April 2024.
The state chairperson of the PDP, the Party’s national chairperson, and the party’s Board of Trustees were copied in the letter.
Stating his reasons for leaving the opposition party, Ihedioha said in the letter that he had contributed his quota to the development of the party since its formation in 1998.
” Always look inward for internal reforms and provide credible leadership to the people of Nigeria despite not being the ruling party at the moment.Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is sadly no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules, or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party effective immediately” The former governor stressed in the letter.
He added that, despite his resignation from the PDP he would always be available to assist the party in deepening democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
Ihedioha did not indicate which party he was defecting to but political spectators are forecasting him to join the ruling APC in an attempt to contest an election in 2027.
Shema’s defection to APC was another loss for PDP
Barrister Brahim Shehu Shema is the former Katsina State governor under PDP from 2007 to 2015.
Shema succeeded the late President Yar’Adua as the northwest state governor. No one could believe that the legal practitioner turned politician would leave PDP at this material time even though politics and politicians are unpredictable, especially in Nigeria where politics of ideology is gradually fading away.
On Thursday 2nd of May 2024, the former Katsina State governor declared his decision to switch his political allegiance from the PDP to the ruling APC.
In a significant turn of events, the leadership of the APC in the state has granted him a membership card complete with a unique serial number 26551.
The membership card was issued to the former governor at the Shema ward party office in Dutsinma. The card was filled by the state Secretary of the APC and presented by the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Daura.
Jabiru Abdullahi Tsauri is the chief of staff to Katsina State Governor Dr. Dikko Radda. He accepted the membership card on behalf of Governor Radda. The card was personally handed over to the former governor Shema by Governor Radda himself.
Jabiru Tsauri expressed excitement upon the development highlighting the significance of the APC’s accomplishment in attracting a prominent figure from the opposition. The event is seen as a pivotal moment in the political arena.
Sani Aliyu Daura is the Katsina State chairman of the All Progressives Congress -APC. He praised Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and his predecessor, Masari, for their efforts in securing the defection of an influential figure. The state chairman promised fair treatment for the former governor and his supporters.
In a statement delivered by the state secretary of APC, Suleiman Namadi, emphasized that the decision of former Governor Barrister Shema to join the party is seen as a testament to the success and popularity of the APC.
To end this piece is to say PDP as the main opposition party in Nigeria is gradually losing its relevance as some of its major stakeholders like former governors of Imo and Katsina states who were members of the party since its inception in 1998 are dumping the party without taking measures to persuade them.
This seems to be the end of the road for the party that ruled Nigeria for 16 years (1999 to 2015).
The opposition role is gradually taken over by the Labour Party, especially with the commitment of its Presidential candidate during the 2023 Presidential election Peter Obi who is also the former governor of Anambra State.
The hope is that other parties in Nigeria will make alliance as some parties did ahead of the 2015 election which formed the APC that turned from an opposition to a ruling party as PDP is losing ground to maintain its position as the main opposition party due to a series of internal crises and defections.
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