Tajudeen Yusuf, a former member of the House of Representatives, has pinpointed several key factors contributing to the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to Yusuf, a significant issue lies in the failure of some party leaders to prioritize the unity of the party, instead of focusing on their personal political ambitions.
Yusuf, in a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, called for a shift in the party’s leadership approach, particularly concerning former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s continued pursuit of the presidential ticket. Having contested for the PDP’s presidential nomination in the past two election cycles, Yusuf believes it is time for Atiku to step aside and allow the party to return to its original zoning formula—a move he believes will foster peace and unity within the party.
“If I have my way, I will advise former Vice President Atiku to leave the PDP ticket. Let it go to the South, even if we don’t win the presidential election,” Yusuf said. “By doing this, we will be seen as adhering to our original modus operandi, where party positions are zoned, and it will allow for greater cohesion within the party.”
Yusuf’s call for a return to the zoning practice is particularly pointed at the South-South and South-East regions, which he described as the historical strongholds of the PDP. He expressed concern that the PDP’s current approach—allowing the ticket to be concentrated in one region—has led to frustration and a sense of disenchantment among party members from other regions, who feel excluded from the party’s top positions.
The crisis within the PDP has deepened since the 2023 general election, with several prominent figures, including governors and National Assembly members, defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The latest defections include Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, among others, who joined the APC on Wednesday.
Yusuf, who represented the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, described the PDP’s internal strife as a self-inflicted wound. He accused the party’s governors of intentionally letting the situation deteriorate, as it provided a convenient justification for their defections to rival political platforms.
For Yusuf, the key to resolving the crisis lies in the restoration of the PDP’s original ideals, which, he argues, will require a shift away from personal ambitions toward collective party unity.
