Segun Sowunmi’s Vision for PDP: Tackling Wike and Strengthening Party Unity

Segun Sowunmi, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and an aspiring national chairman of the party, shared his views on the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP and specifically addressed the issue of Nyesom Wike’s membership and its impact on the party’s unity.

Sowunmi emphasized the importance of a strong party constitution and disciplinary actions to prevent any individual from becoming “too big” for the party.

The political tension within the PDP has been a topic of concern for party members and the Nigerian public alike.

It escalated during the build-up to the 2023 election when Wike, then Governor of Rivers State, opposed the party’s decision to nominate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

This opposition, combined with Wike’s demand for the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, as a condition for supporting the party, led to a significant division within the PDP.

Despite the internal strife, Wike accepted a ministerial appointment from the former Governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu, further straining the relationship between him and the PDP.

This has left many party members questioning the leadership’s decision to allow Wike to remain a member of the opposition party while seemingly working against its interests.

Sowunmi, in his interview, criticized the PDP leadership for failing to address Wike’s alleged anti-party actions and stressed the need for a clear definition of what constitutes such actions within the party’s constitution.

He believes that a strong and well-defined party constitution is essential for maintaining unity and preventing similar issues in the future.

When asked about how he would handle the situation with Wike if he were to become the chairman of the PDP, Sowunmi stated that he would take a firm stance on disciplinary actions and ensure that no individual becomes more significant than the party itself.

He believes that any party member who violates the party’s constitution should be subject to appropriate disciplinary measures.

Sowunmi’s remarks come at a time when the PDP is facing significant challenges in terms of leadership and party unity

As the party prepares for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the issue of Wike’s membership and the broader question of internal cohesion will undoubtedly be at the forefront of discussions.

As the political landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the PDP will address these challenges and whether Sowunmi’s vision for a stronger and more unified party will be realized.