Wabara Rejects Turning Nigeria To A One Party System

Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has made a strong declaration that any effort by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to transform Nigeria into a one-party state will be met with strong opposition.

Senator Wabara responded to the news of some important PDP members resigning from the South East geo-political zone, and accused the APC of utilizing certain individuals within the PDP to break up the party.

Former Imo State Governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, resigned from the PDP on Tuesday. In his statement, he cited the ongoing controversy surrounding the position of the PDP National Secretary as the reason for his departure. 

Following Ihedioha’s departure, several prominent members and officials of the PDP in Imo State reportedly resigned from the party within 24 hours.

Some of the National officers from Imo State who had allegedly resigned from the PDP included: a BoT member, Chief Chris Okewulonu, ; four zonal officers – Mr Stanley Ekezie, ex-officio Zonal Officer; Chief Austin Okeke, Zonal Publicity Secretary; Chief Emeka Nwokeke, Zonal Organising Secretary and Zonal Woman Leader, Mrs Ruth Nkwocha.

Others were three state officers and a Local Government Chairman of the party in Imo, namely: Mr Kissinger Ikokwu, State Legal Adviser; Mazi Emenike Nmeregini, State Publicity Secretary; Chief David Abanihi, State Assistant Treasurer and Hon Sambazz Iheaturueme, Obowo LGA Chairman.

Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri, a former member of the House of Representatives, Professor Obioma Iheduru, Mr Chibuzor Agulana, and Hon. Mrs Amarachi Owuamanam were among those who reportedly left the PDP. 

In response to this development, Senator Wabara stated that the PDP BoT would take immediate action to prevent any further exits. As the conscience of the party, the BoT would not permit self-interested individuals to be used by the ruling party to destabilize the PDP.

He said: “The BoT will wade in expeditiously to save the deliberate and planned extinction of this great party, the People’s Democratic Party.

“The BoT with the array of distinguished men and women of invaluable experience and integrity will surely salvage the party. The BoT did it once and shall do it again no matter whose ox is gored.

“The BoT will never allow the APC to use some characters in the PDP to turn this beautiful and sweet Nation (Nigeria) into a one party state.”

The PDP was said to have several experienced politicians who could handle any internal issues affecting the party, according to the former Senate President.

He was hopeful that any concerns held by some party members would soon be resolved in a peaceful manner.

Prior to the recently concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the PDP in Abuja, Senator Wabara made a statement that those who were expecting the PDP to self-destruct would be let down. The PDP crisis is believed by analysts to be caused by a power struggle between the party’s presidential candidate for 2023, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the ex-Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.