ByAyomide Otitoju
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South caretaker committee, Emmanuel Ogidi, has warned that the party will not hesitate to sanction members involved in anti-party activities as it positions itself for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ogidi dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced the PDP’s recent decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
Asked about prominent PDP members, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, who have openly backed President Bola Tinubu, Ogidi said discipline would be enforced.
“We are watching our members, and of course, any party that does not have discipline cannot succeed. We will discipline any erring members,” he stated.
He accused the APC of attempting to weaken the PDP in the South but said the strategy had failed.
“APC have been running towards the South because they want to destabilise us; they are trying to weaken us in the South, but they failed,” he said.
The PDP has in recent months lost some of its high-profile members, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-lawmaker Dino Melaye, to the ADC opposition coalition.
Ogidi stressed that while reconciliation efforts are ongoing, the party would not tolerate acts of sabotage.
“We are on reconciliation. If it doesn’t work, then we are going to apply the big stick. As for those who have left, our doors are always open. At the time they left, many were unsure of the party’s direction, but now we are more certain and I believe they will return,” he said.
He further noted that the PDP’s immediate priority was rebuilding trust among Nigerians rather than focusing on individual ambitions.
“This is the People’s Democratic Party. We don’t headhunt for candidates; our doors are open for those who wish to come in. For now, our pursuit is not about the candidate but about regaining the confidence of Nigerians. PDP is not owned by any individual; it belongs to the people,” Ogidi added.
On Monday, the PDP announced that its 2027 presidential ticket would be zoned to the South while the national chairmanship remains in the North, a move party leaders described as necessary to stabilise the party ahead of the polls.
The ruling APC has already adopted President Tinubu as its 2027 candidate, setting the stage for what could be a highly competitive contest.
