South South PDP leader Dan Orbih warns that internal impunity, disregard for the party constitution, and poor decision-making are threatening PDP’s survival
South South PDP leader Dan Orbih has issued a stern warning to the Peoples Democratic Party, urging its national leadership to address what he described as internal impunity and a troubling disregard for the party’s constitution.
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His comments come at a time when the PDP is grappling with a deepening crisis that has led to the defection of several prominent figures to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The ongoing internal discord, which began before the 2023 general elections, has worsened in recent months.
The fallout has seen Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, both elected on the PDP platform, defect to the APC.
Their exits were followed by several lawmakers at both national and state levels, triggering alarm within the party’s rank and file.
Orbih expressed concern over what he described as widespread dissatisfaction among party members, largely due to undemocratic decision-making and a lack of transparency.
He warned that unless urgent steps were taken to restore constitutional order and internal discipline, the party’s future would remain uncertain.
“It is obvious that a lot of people are not happy with the state of the party. Our impunity and our decision never to follow the rules have affected us badly, and we must put our house in order, whether we like it or not,” he stated.
Orbih specifically criticised party leaders who continue to justify flawed decisions in the name of party supremacy.
He argued that such justifications undermine the very foundation of the PDP, which must be rooted in constitutional adherence.
“I have come out clearly to state that the party is not supreme, but the constitution is. Once we are guided by the provisions of the constitution in everything we do, the party will come out stronger and better,” he added.
Citing a past congress in the South South region, Orbih recalled how certain governors refused to support its outcome simply because their preferred candidates did not win.
He described such moves as clear instances of personal interest overriding democratic values and threatening the party’s internal cohesion.
He called for a comprehensive internal review aimed at identifying systemic failures and reestablishing trust within the PDP.
“There should be internal sanitisation of the party. Let us see what we are not doing right.
Let us see how we can correct our mistakes and do things differently from what has brought us to this sorry state,” he urged.
Orbih also criticised the credibility of an emerging political coalition reportedly backed by some PDP leaders, warning that the initiative lacks clarity and sincerity.
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He questioned the rationale of pushing for a new alliance while retaining strategic positions within the PDP, describing the approach as deceitful and confusing to party loyalists.