Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdullahi Ibrahim, has described the recent wave of defections from the party by governors and lawmakers as acts driven by “greed, avarice, and selfishness”, insisting that the party remains united and better positioned to rescue Nigeria from what he called “an army of occupation masquerading as government.”
Speaking in an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Ibrahim dismissed suggestions that the defections signal an internal collapse within the PDP, stressing that those leaving had no justifiable reason to abandon the party that brought them to power.
“It’s nothing other than greed, avarice, and selfishness on the part of those leaving,” he said. “To the best of my knowledge, and to that of Nigerians, you cannot find any compelling reason that would warrant a governor rounding up a second term, for example, in the case of Bayelsa, to want to leave the party. You can’t find a justifiable reason other than covetousness, greed, and avarice.”
He maintained that the PDP has resolved most of its internal challenges and remains the most credible platform for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our party is in good stead. We have internal challenges like every other political party, and we have since addressed major problems that could have afflicted our chances of providing Nigerians with a viable opposition. So, these few elements are driven by self, greed, and perhaps coercion and intimidation from the ruling party. Other than those, there is no reason to leave,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the PDP would emerge stronger after its forthcoming national convention scheduled for next month.
“It’s good riddance to bad rubbish. If we can have the opportunity of weeding these terrible elements out of the PDP, we will get to that convention ground better, more cohesive, and prepared to retrieve this country from this army of occupation masquerading as a government,” he said.
Reacting to the comments by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who claimed the PDP no longer guaranteed fairness or justice, Ibrahim dismissed his reasons as “pedestrian” and “an admission of failure.”
“Whose voices were not heard?” he asked. “The Southeast produced five Senate Presidents, notable ministers like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Dora Akunyili under the PDP. What is he saying? For four years, I have not seen Peter Mbah at any PDP NEC meeting or national assembly of the party. These are people who have not provided inspiration or leadership for this party, yet they accuse the PDP of failure.”
Ibrahim said leadership meant solving problems, not abandoning ship.
“Leadership is about facing problems and finding solutions. If you cannot provide desired leadership, then you have failed. It’s an admission of failure on their part,” he declared.
The PDP spokesman also dismissed fears that the exit of sitting governors weakens the opposition party ahead of 2027, insisting that the power rests with the people, not individual politicians.
“It’s better for them to leave so we can have a real political party called PDP. None of them was a governor when PDP was formed. There has to be a political party before you became governor,” he said. “The people are the ones that matter. The last time I checked, democracy is not about a governor; it’s about the people in the state. So, good riddance to bad rubbish.”
Ibrahim further expressed confidence that Nigerians would reject the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next elections, describing it as a party that has failed to deliver hope to the people.
“Anybody who chooses to move from the PDP to that contraption called the APC is only running from light to darkness,” he said. “The APC has not been able to provide relief for Nigerians. It has plunged the country into despair worse than at any time in our history. If we go to the polls in 2027 without one governor, Nigerians will still decide whether they are comfortable with what they are receiving today or want change.”
Ibrahim also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for hypocrisy, recalling how it once protested against fuel subsidy removal under former President Goodluck Jonathan but later implemented the same policy without remorse.
“People like Tinubu who protested against oil subsidy should publicly apologise to President Goodluck Jonathan for implementing what he once condemned. In this country, there’s always double standard,” Ibrahim said. “I have more faith in the PDP than in the APC. I believe the PDP can offer a better alternative to solve Nigeria’s problems.”
Addressing his own loyalty to the party, Ibrahim said he had never considered defecting because his convictions and principles did not align with the APC’s governance style.
“I’m not under any pressure to resign. I believe the PDP can put its acts together. I respect the decisions of our leaders, but I don’t have the conviction that leaving the PDP is the right decision,” he said. “Politics should be about principles and philosophy, not selfish interests. It would be a moral burden for me to leave the party that gave me a platform.”
He urged politicians to remain guided by principles and integrity rather than personal gain.
“We should develop philosophies above petty selfish interests and focus on issues that will develop the country,” he said. “We have the potential to be a great nation, but we are reducing ourselves to a rentier state. I walk by conviction, not convenience.”
Despite the gale of defections, Ibrahim maintained that the PDP remains resilient and unshaken.
“We are not bothered about cowards,” he said. “If anyone chooses to move with the mandate of the PDP, farewell. Time will tell. Nigerians will decide.”
Boluwatife Enome
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