PDP Faces Turbulence as Over 20 Federal Lawmakers Threaten Mass Defection Over Controversial National Woman Leader Nomination

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again in the throes of internal turmoil, as reports indicate that over 20 of its federal lawmakers are threatening to dump the party over a contentious nomination for the position of National Woman Leader.

According to a Vanguard report on Monday, October 27, 2025, the lawmakers are furious over an alleged plan by the PDP’s national leadership to approve a nominee reportedly backed by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development has sparked widespread anger among the lawmakers, who view the move as a betrayal of the PDP’s core values and an erosion of its integrity as Nigeria’s main opposition party.

The aggrieved lawmakers, led by their spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, expressed dismay that the party’s leadership allegedly issued a nomination form to an aspirant believed to have ties with the APC governor. They warned that unless the nomination was withdrawn before the scheduled screening on Tuesday, they would have no choice but to defect from the party before its national convention.

Insiders disclosed that the lawmakers fear a deliberate attempt by some powerful figures within the PDP to cede strategic leadership positions to individuals loyal to the APC, a move they say could jeopardize the unity and credibility of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group further accused the leadership of sidelining dedicated PDP members from the South East, lamenting that loyalty and commitment to the party are being sacrificed on the altar of political convenience. They urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold fairness, transparency, and internal democracy in the selection process, emphasizing that only genuine party faithful should occupy sensitive leadership roles.

According to the lawmakers, the PDP’s survival and relevance depend on its ability to restore confidence among members, protect its internal structures from infiltration, and project a united front before the next election cycle.

As tensions rise, attention now shifts to Tuesday’s screening of candidates for national offices, an event expected to set the tone for the upcoming PDP national convention, which many believe will determine the party’s political direction and cohesion in the months ahead.