Former Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its ongoing internal crisis, accusing its leaders of submitting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, February 7, 2025, Okonkwo argued that PDP’s decline is due to its leaders’ willingness to serve APC’s interests, thereby weakening the party’s role as an opposition force.
Wike’s Role in PDP’s Decline
Okonkwo identified President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of ex-Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a key factor in PDP’s downfall.
He recalled that during the 2023 elections, Wike, a prominent PDP figure, allegedly worked against his own party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which contributed to Tinubu’s victory.
“Some people formed the G5 and openly worked against the party. Instead of being sanctioned, they were accommodated. Now, they want to take over the party,” Okonkwo said.
He argued that Wike’s ministerial appointment further crippled PDP’s effectiveness as an opposition party, as its members are now politically subservient to an APC-led government.
“The PDP leadership is now controlled by those serving under the APC government. This means PDP has become a ‘servant of servants’ to APC,” he added.
Okonkwo Reacts to Atiku’s Bribery Allegation
Commenting on Atiku Abubakar’s recent claim that APC is bribing opposition parties to weaken them ahead of the 2027 elections, Okonkwo dismissed the claim, saying it only exposes the opposition’s weakness and corruption.
“I was not ashamed of the ruling party; I was ashamed of the opposition. If there is no willing receiver, there will be no available giver,” he stated.
He argued that it is a legitimate political strategy for a ruling party to destabilize the opposition and that opposition parties should be strong enough to resist such attempts.
Calls for Opposition to Take Responsibility
Okonkwo urged opposition parties to take responsibility for their failures instead of blaming APC for their internal issues.
“Opposition parties have not lived up to Nigerians’ expectations. They should reject any offers that could destabilize them. Their willingness to be bought over only proves their incompetence and corruption,” he stated.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Okonkwo’s comments add to the ongoing debate over the strength of Nigeria’s opposition parties and their ability to challenge the APC’s dominance.
