PDP Crisis: Why we can’t leave politics to politicians only, says Akande

Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has said the lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a stark reminder that Nigerians cannot afford to leave politics solely in the hands of career politicians. Akande made the assertion on Sunday during the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on […]

Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has said the lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a stark reminder that Nigerians cannot afford to leave politics solely in the hands of career politicians.

Akande made the assertion on Sunday during the My Take segment of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, where he offered a sweeping critique of the PDP’s internal conflicts and what they reveal about Nigeria’s political elite.

According to him, the PDP’s current state goes beyond factional disagreements and points to a fundamental failure of leadership and purpose within the country’s political class.

“Not only is the party looking like a sinking ship a la President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but the hopelessness of its opposing gladiators in their disgraceful effort to outwit themselves is the strongest proof that there are many among the Nigerian political elite who are blinded, lacking vision and ultimately of no social value to the Nigerian project,” Akande said.

He argued that the PDP’s prolonged internal battles should serve as a warning to Nigerians against leaving governance solely in the hands of politicians.

“It’s our best alert signal that we can’t leave politics to politicians alone,” he added.

Akande noted that while the crisis reflects a troubling disregard for the common good, there is one ironic beneficiary of the PDP’s infighting.

“If there is any redeeming virtue to the demonstration of utter neglect for the common good in all these PDP shenanigans, it is that lawyers are smiling to the banks, happily billing all the opposing PDP factions!”

Placing the crisis in historical context, Akande said the PDP stands out negatively among opposition parties in Nigeria’s democratic history.

“In Nigeria’s contemporary political history, the PDP is not the first party to be in opposition but it is the party that has produced the least number of courageous men and women, as we have all seen,” he stated.

Despite his criticism, Akande singled out a group of governors he said have shown rare courage by remaining committed to their parties amid political pressure and defections.

“And that is why we must pause today to commend the 7 Governors in Nigeria who have found the courage to remain in their parties
4 in PDP
1 in APGA
1 in Labour
1 in Accord.”
He paid particular tribute to the four PDP governors he believes are holding the opposition together:
“We must especially commend those remaining 4 PDP Govs
Bala Mohammed of Bauchi
Dauda Lawal of Zamfara
Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa &
of course
Seyi Makinde of Oyo.”
Akande stressed that Nigeria’s multiparty democracy currently rests heavily on the resolve of these leaders.
“Here is the point: it is to the resilience of these 4 Governors that we owe the sustenance of multiparty democracy in Nigeria to.
We should encourage them to stand firm and strengthen opposition politics in Nigeria.”
Drawing parallels with recent political history, Akande recalled that President Bola Tinubu once played a similar role while in opposition.
“That was what the man who is today the President did since 2007 up until 2015 when his party—the APC—snatched victory from the PDP.”

Expanding his argument, Akande said Nigeria cannot be described as sliding into a one-party state, citing governors from other political parties who have maintained strong opposition platforms.
“When we add
APGA’S Charles Soludo of Anambra
LP’S Alex Otti of Abia &
of course
ACCORD PARTY’S Ademola Adeleke, then we can boast that we are right that Nigeria would never be reduced to a one party state.”
He also referenced emerging political movements and prominent political figures as further proof of Nigeria’s plural political space.
“Not when you also have the fledgling ADC now working so hard to tell us of their platform, principles & manifesto.”
Akande concluded by asserting that Nigeria’s political landscape remains competitive despite its flaws.
“With people like Rotimi Amaechi with his unwavering courage, Atiku Abubakar with his unrelenting ambition and Peter Obi with his 2023 presidential polls’ stunt, Nigeria is not ready for a One party state. Let’s just know that.”
While acknowledging the decay in party discipline and organisation, Akande maintained that political pluralism in Nigeria is still alive.
“Party supremacy, organization, and discipline may be at an all-time low in Nigeria, but it’s not entirely dead!” he stated.