PDP Has No Clear Leadership, Says Umar Sani

|By Chinwendu Nwani

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has described the party as currently lacking a clear leadership structure, saying it is operating like “an orphan.”

Sani made the remark on Wednesday while speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television, where he addressed the internal challenges facing the opposition party.

According to him, the PDP’s immediate challenge is not the fear of being unable to participate in future elections but the urgent need to restore the party’s structure, unity, and direction.

He explained that the party is presently operating without any faction or leadership bloc providing clear direction.

“The issue we have tried to face now is not the existential threat of not participating in the election but trying to put the soul of the party in proper shape and form. As it is now, the party is not being driven by anybody. The party is just standing. It is a stand-alone party not driven by any side,” Sani said.

The PDP chieftain also referred to a recent judgment by the Ibadan Court of Appeal concerning actions taken by allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Sani stated that the authority claimed by the group to constitute the party’s Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee was nullified by the court.

According to him, the appellate court held that members of the group were under suspension at the time those actions were taken and therefore lacked the legitimacy to carry out official functions on behalf of the party.

He noted that the court advised both factions to reconcile and resolve the dispute internally.

Sani said the ruling recommended that the parties involved review the disputed list of party officials, make necessary adjustments, and present a mutually agreed version to the court for adoption as a judgment.

He stressed that reconciliation remains the only viable path to stabilizing the PDP and repositioning it ahead of future political contests.