The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that it will sanction members found supporting President Bola Tinubu or engaging in other anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emmanuel Ogidi, Chairman of the PDP South-South caretaker committee, issued the warning on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
Responding to questions about Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and other party figures openly backing Tinubu, Ogidi said the party would enforce discipline to maintain cohesion.
“We are watching our members, and of course, any party that does not have discipline cannot succeed. We will discipline any erring members,” he said.
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to destabilise the South but insisted that the strategy had failed.
“APC has been running towards the South because they want to destabilise the South; they are trying to weaken us in the South, but they failed,” Ogidi stated.
His remarks come amid defections of prominent PDP members, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-lawmaker Dino Melaye, to the opposition ADC coalition.
Ogidi said while reconciliation efforts were ongoing, the party would not tolerate deliberate sabotage. “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 stressed that the PDP’s immediate priority was rebuilding public confidence after years of internal disputes, including leadership struggles and disagreements over the position of national secretary.
“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,” he added.
On Monday, the PDP zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the national chairmanship in the North—a decision party leaders said was aimed at stabilising the party ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, the APC has already adopted President Tinubu as its candidate for the 2027 polls, setting the stage for a major contest between the ruling party and the opposition.
