PDP Leaders Divided Over Sanctions for Anti-Party Activities Ahead of 2027 Elections

Abuja, Nigeria – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing internal disagreements over whether to sanction members allegedly involved in anti-party activities during and after the 2023 general elections. While some party chieftains insist on disciplinary action to restore party discipline and prepare for 2027, others argue that forgiveness and reconciliation are crucial to rebuilding the party’s strength and unity.

This growing division comes amid rising pressure from loyalists calling for accountability for those accused of undermining the PDP’s electoral chances in 2023, particularly in states where internal sabotage was widely suspected.

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Ikimi Committee Yet to Deliver Results

The PDP had, on August 21, 2024, inaugurated a Disciplinary Committee headed by former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, to investigate and recommend sanctions for members suspected of anti-party conduct. However, nine months on, the committee has been largely inactive, only resolving a single case—that of Senator Samuel Anyanwu—while remaining silent on the number and nature of pending petitions.

Despite the inaction, the pressure on the party to either punish or pardon suspected members continues to intensify, with new accusations surfacing about PDP leaders allegedly fraternizing with rival parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 “We Need a Disciplined Army”

Chief Eddy Olafeso, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), is among the party elders advocating for immediate disciplinary action. In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun, Olafeso stressed that punishing erring members is critical to ensuring that the PDP heads into the 2027 general elections as an organized and committed political force.

“Of course, after the disciplinary procedure, whoever is involved in anti-party activities should be sanctioned so that it can serve as deterrent to those who may want to commit the same offence in the future,” he said.

Olafeso rejected the argument that now is not the right time to enforce sanctions. “When is sanction not in the interest of the party? At what time and season do you punish people? I believe that if you have committed an offence, you should equally be punished for it. It is better to go into a war with a disciplined army than to go with a morbid and disorganised people,” he added.

Opposing View: “We Need Everyone Now”

However, not all PDP leaders share Olafeso’s hardline stance. The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, cautioned against divisive actions. He emphasized the importance of unity and second chances as the party prepares for a challenging electoral battle in 2027.

“An eye for an eye leaves the whole community blind,” Osadolor said. He maintained that many members made mistakes out of frustration or misunderstanding and should be given an opportunity to realign with the party’s vision.

“My position is that there is no one who has not sinned. There is no one who has not erred. If it is possible to forgive ourselves and commit ourselves to ideals of the party…then we can have a common place to move forward,” he explained.

Osadolor noted that only members who show no remorse or make repeated infractions should face disciplinary action. “It is only when such members show that they are unrepentant, unremorseful…that is when I will subscribe to their dismissal from the party.”

Reconciliation Over Expulsion

Adding his voice to the debate, former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, called for genuine reconciliation rather than punitive measures. He said the party’s constitution may not even support sanctions in many of the reported cases and warned against weakening the party’s base through expulsions.

“Should sanctions be the next step? No, not at all,” Odeyemi stated. “The constitution of the party, if put into application, is not likely to catch any of these leaders breaching any section that will warrant their being expelled.”

According to him, the PDP must adopt a pragmatic approach, centered on inclusivity and rebuilding. “Politics is a game of numbers, the more the better…especially at this time. 2027 may look far but it is near. Genuine concerned leaders should intensify pressure on others so that PDP can breathe,” he concluded.

With the 2027 elections gradually approaching, the PDP finds itself at a crossroads. Should the party prioritize internal discipline to correct past wrongs and restore order, or should it embrace reconciliation to maximize its political reach? The outcome of this internal debate could shape not only the PDP’s fortunes but also the broader political narrative heading into Nigeria’s next national polls.

As the Disciplinary Committee continues its slow progress, many within the PDP are calling for transparency, timely decisions, and a clear strategy—either towards justice or unity.