‘No Factions In PDP’, Says Deputy National Chairman

The Deputy National Chairman, South Zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Daniel Woyengikuro, has insisted that there are no factions within the party, describing the dispute as minor disagreements.

Woyengikuro stated this in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, during the presentation of a book authored by Chief Ali Odefa.

“We don’t have factions in PDP. What the party is currently experiencing can be described as a minor disagreement. I would like to point out that there are no factions within the PDP. What we have is a minor disagreement.

“We went for a convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, and (Taminu) Turaki emerged as the National Chairman of PDP. People are just disgruntled, and for sure, in a family, you should know that there will be issues, but the truth remains that there is no faction in PDP.

He described as a rumour the speculation on social media that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, are interested in the 2027 presidential election under the PDP.

Woyengikuro, the former National Financial Secretary of the PDP, maintained that it is incorrect for anyone to assume that the activities of Governor Makinde and Mohammed were motivated by their interest in the 2027 presidential election.

“Governor Seyi Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed have not told anyone that they are contesting for President in 2027. It is just a rumour being speculated by people. It is wrong to say that because someone is interested in contesting the presidential election, that’s why he is doing what he is doing,” he said.

On the defection of some PDP governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Woyengikuro stated that it cannot stop the party from winning in the 2027 general elections.

“The Governors are defecting, yes, but the question should be, ‘How many are they compared to the voting population of Nigeria? The governors can go; they have their reasons for leaving, and we are all aware of them. However, I want to assure Nigerians that their departure will not stop us from winning the election in 2027.

“Labour Party came out without a governor in 2023, and everybody knew what happened. They won 12 States. Therefore, the governors’ leaving will not cause the PDP to lose the 2027 presidential election. When the time for the election comes, you will see what will happen. All we need is to put our house in order, and all those who left will come back.”

He stated that there is a possibility that the PDP will work with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition parties to ensure that the ruling APC is removed from government.

“In Nigeria, what everyone is saying is removing an APC government that is not performing. What we are talking about is removing a government that has inflicted poverty on the people. We are talking about removing a government that has no empathy for the masses. So if the political parties have the same agenda, what it means is that we are not enemies.

“There must be a working arrangement where the opposition will take over from this government that lacks what it takes to rescue Nigerians from the economic hardship we are currently experiencing.

“The APC is using the taxpayers’ money to intimidate the opposition parties, but let me remind you, the Labour Party came without money, but the masses funded themselves. In 2027, people will come out and vote according to their conscience.

“It is not going to be all about money, but interest. There are many Nigerians who will collect the money they share and still vote according to their conscience. Go all over Nigeria, and you see poverty. That’s not what the people want,” he said.