The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-South zone caretaker committee, Emmanuel Ogidi, has warned that the party will discipline members found engaging in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on ADBN TV’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Ogidi dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced the PDP’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
Asked about the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other PDP members openly endorsing President Bola Tinubu, Ogidi said:
“We are watching our members, and of course, any party that does not have discipline cannot succeed. We will discipline any erring members.”
The PDP chieftain accused the APC of attempting to destabilise the South but insisted their efforts had failed.
“APC have been running towards the South because they want to destabilise the South; they are trying to weaken us in the South, but they failed,” he said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-lawmaker Dino Melaye are among those who recently defected from the PDP to the opposition ADC coalition, which has attracted several top politicians.
Ogidi said reconciliation efforts remain ongoing but stressed that deliberate acts of sabotage will not be tolerated.
“We are on reconciliation. If it doesn’t work, then we are going to apply the big stick. As for those who have left, our doors are always open. At the time they left, many were unsure of the party’s direction, but now we are more certain and I believe they will return,” he said.
He emphasised that the PDP’s priority was not personalities but rebuilding trust after years of leadership tussles and internal crises.
“For now, our pursuit is not about the candidate but about regaining the confidence of Nigerians. PDP is not owned by any individual; it belongs to the people,” Ogidi noted.
On Monday, the PDP formally zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the national chairmanship in the North — a move party leaders said was aimed at stabilising the PDP ahead of the next election.
The ruling APC has already endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027, setting the stage for a major political contest.
