A member of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees and former House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Jones Onyereri, has strongly dismissed claims by All Progressive Congress National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje that the PDP would cease to exist by 2025.
The PDP stalwart maintained that the opposition party remains resilient and will emerge stronger from its current challenges.
In an exclusive interview with Vanguard in Abuja on Monday, Onyereri emphasized the PDP’s strong foundation, comparing the party’s internal struggles to a necessary phase of renewal.
“As the Bible says, once the foundation is strong, what can you build against it? The truth is, the PDP has a very strong foundation. Nothing can shake it. It was established on solid ground, and there is nothing that can undermine it,” Onyereri stated with conviction.
The former lawmaker likened the party’s situation to agricultural pruning, explaining that current difficulties would ultimately strengthen the organization. “From what you see today, the array of personalities still within the PDP indicates that we are merely going through a phase of pruning. Just as seasonal pruning is necessary to yield a greater harvest, it is often a challenging process. That is precisely what we are experiencing now.”
Drawing from biblical accounts, Onyereri cited examples of perseverance amid adversity. “I recall a relevant biblical example: even Christ Himself, at a critical moment, saw some of His disciples leave when He spoke about drinking His blood. The Bible tells us that some abandoned Him, but He did not halt His ministry. He pressed on. Similarly, this is what will happen with the PDP.”
The exchange originated from Ganduje’s response to former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido’s prediction that APC members would eventually return to the PDP. The APC chairman had dismissed this claim while boasting about his party’s growing strength under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, pointing to recent defections from opposition ranks as evidence of PDP’s decline.
Onyereri remained unfazed by these assertions, maintaining that recent defections represented natural attrition rather than an existential threat to the party. “Those who left had fulfilled their purpose within the party,” he remarked, emphasizing the PDP’s determination to rebuild and move forward.
“We are moving forward, steadily and resolutely,” the PDP leader affirmed, signaling the party’s preparedness for future political contests despite current challenges.
Political observers note this war of words reflects heightened tensions between Nigeria’s two major political parties as the 2027 election cycle approaches. Both parties appear engaged in a battle of narratives, each seeking to project strength and viability amid ongoing political realignments across the country.
The PDP, which governed Nigeria for 16 consecutive years before losing power in 2015, continues to position itself as the nation’s main opposition force despite facing internal divisions and witnessing several high-profile defections in recent months.