As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens, Tajudeen Yusuf, a former House of Representatives member and party stalwart, has pointed fingers at Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the party’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking on the violent disruption of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja on January 29, 2025, Yusuf warned that the party risks repeating its past mistakes if corrective measures are not taken.
According to Yusuf, Atiku’s overconfidence as the party’s presidential candidate contributed significantly to the PDP’s loss. He emphasized that the ongoing crisis within the party stems from internal power struggles and strategic positioning by some members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yusuf urged party leaders to prioritize unity and focus on rebuilding trust among members to avoid further electoral setbacks. He highlighted the need for accountability and strategic planning as essential steps for the PDP to regain its political relevance.
“What you have seen ahead of 2027 is that people are struggling for structure, for who controls what, and to become the party’s candidate. They forget the fact that being a candidate alone does not make you president. We lost the last election because I feel our flagbearer was too cocky and so sure he was the next president,” Yusuf said.
The ex-lawmaker further said that the PDP is not playing opposition as it should, adding that the crisis rocking the party is orchestrated by overambitious party members.
“The PDP is not playing opposition as it should because the PDP finds itself in the quagmire of over-ambitious men who believe they must always run for elections. A political party should be robust and not be about you running for election,” Yusuf said.
He stated that the violence that marred the BoT meeting was a manifestation of the struggle for control and power ahead of the next presidential primary.
Yusuf, who represented Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu constituency, admitted that the PDP’s internal mechanism for crisis resolution has failed, adding that the violence witnessed during the BoT meeting was a manifestation of the party’s leadership failure.
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