PDP Defectors ‘ll Soon Return To Party, Say Ex-Speakers

The Forum of Former Speakers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has predicted the return of many politicians who left the party in recent years to join other political parties.

The forum believes that PDP is the most widely accepted, well-organized political party in the country, committed to addressing the nation’s challenges.

This statement was made following a meeting with the PDP minority leadership in the House of Representatives at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Friday.

Present at the meeting were the House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda; Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa; Chairman of the Forum and member of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Inuwa Garba; Forum Secretary, Hon. Williams Edor; and other members including Hon. Bakitta Bello, Hon. Friday Itulah, Hon. Kwamoti Laori, and Hon. Ndanusa Hassan.

In a press briefing after the meeting, Hon. Inuwa Garba, former Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, described some defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as illegal and a breach of the constitution. He assured that many who left the PDP would soon return, as Nigerians are now better informed about what is good for them.

He noted, “We believe some of these defections are illegal because they are constitutional breaches. Some politicians don’t consider what affects their people or the nation but focus on their own personal gains.”

Garba also stated that politicians with credibility were once part of the PDP, emphasizing that the party is the most widely spread in Africa. He criticized the current government for disrupting the political process, warning that such efforts could not succeed long-term.

The forum urged PDP members to remain steadfast and united in the face of the challenges the nation faces, and expressed confidence that the party was working to strengthen and unite itself.

In a span of just one week, three PDP lawmakers—Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta), Hon. Amos Magaji (Kaduna), and Hon. Salisu Koko (Kebbi)—have defected to the ruling APC.