Amid growing concerns over a series of defections affecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), party chieftain Segun Sowunmi has assured that the party remains resilient and capable of weathering the storm.
In an interview with Vanguard, Sowunmi downplayed the impact of members leaving the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), questioning the widespread concern surrounding these defections. “Why would PDP not survive?” he asked rhetorically.
He noted that political aspirations are often constrained by the limited number of available positions, such as the presidency or governorships, adding that it’s unrealistic for all aspirants to expect party tickets from a single platform like the APC.
“There’s only one presidential ticket in a party. Can everyone who wants to be president run under the APC? The answer is no,” he said. “In the 36 states, there’s only one governorship ticket per party. Not all aspiring candidates can get that from the APC either.”
Sowunmi argued that political realignments are not one-sided, pointing out that while some politicians are leaving the PDP, others are also joining it or aligning with different parties.
He cautioned against drawing conclusions about the future so early in the political cycle, saying, “It’s too early for anyone to predict who will stay or leave.”
Expressing confidence in the PDP’s structure and grassroots support, he emphasized that the party remains strong at both state and local levels. “The PDP will survive because many people still want to contest under its platform,” he said. “Most of the party’s structures at the state and local government levels are still intact.”
Sowunmi also dismissed the notion that governors control the totality of electoral support within their states, suggesting that voter loyalty cannot be taken for granted.
