The Democratic Front (TDF) has attributed the wave of defections rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party’s internal leadership struggles, dismissing claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or President Bola Tinubu are responsible for the turmoil.
In a statement released on Friday by its chairman, Malam Danjuma Muhammad, TDF expressed disappointment at allegations from some opposition figures that the defections were orchestrated by the APC to weaken the PDP.
“We are, indeed, disappointed that some opposition figures in the country have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu of igniting rancour among its members,” Muhammad stated.
The group pointed to longstanding internal divisions within the PDP, particularly since its loss in the 2015 presidential election, as the primary cause of its current instability.
“TDF is not oblivious of the fact that the PDP has been consistently ravaged by a self-inflicted crisis since it was defeated by the APC in the 2015 presidential election,” the group said. “The party has failed to present a credible presidential candidate since then, reinforcing its image as a party in disarray.”
Referencing recent defections in Delta State, TDF argued these moves were a form of protest against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s continued dominance of the party’s presidential ticket, which the group claims contradicts principles of internal democracy.
“The recent gale of defection that hit the PDP in Delta was not as a result of any imaginary influence or interference of President Tinubu or the APC,” the statement continued. “It is a show of protestation by some members of the party against the scheming of Atiku Abubakar to remain perpetually its presidential standard bearer.”
TDF further emphasized that freedom of association is a constitutional right of all Nigerians and criticized claims that the country is drifting toward a one-party state as “spurious and unfounded.”
“The collapse of Atiku’s political coalition against President Tinubu was not based on external interference by anyone but a direct consequence of the mischief, which the coalition represented,” the group said.
TDF concluded by urging opposition leaders to abandon what it called “the politics of selfishness and bitterness” and focus instead on strengthening democratic processes within their own parties.
