The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) became a subject of mockery in the Senate on Wednesday, as lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) proposed setting up an ad hoc committee to investigate the internal conflicts plaguing the opposition party.

This development follows the defection of Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North) from the PDP to the APC, citing persistent leadership struggles within the party.

Nwoko: PDP Crisis Threatens Democracy

Announcing his defection, Senator Nwoko said his decision was made after “deep reflection and extensive consultations” with his constituents and political associates.

“The PDP, which once stood as a formidable platform for democratic participation and national development, has unfortunately been engulfed in persistent crises, ranging from internal divisions to a lack of clear leadership and direction. These unresolved conflicts have weakened its ability to function as an effective opposition, thereby threatening the very fabric of our democracy,” Nwoko stated.

He warned that Nigeria risks sliding into a dangerous one-party system if the PDP’s crisis is not urgently addressed, urging the Senate to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the root causes of the party’s internal implosion.

Senate Leadership Reacts

The proposal for an investigation was met with fierce opposition from Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (Benue South), who argued that Nwoko’s defection was unconstitutional, as the 1999 Constitution does not permit defection unless a political party is in crisis.

However, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele countered this claim, pointing out that the PDP is already entangled in legal battles over its national leadership. He argued that this constituted sufficient grounds for Nwoko’s defection.

Moro, in response, insisted that the PDP had already secured a court ruling affirming Sam Anyanwu as the party’s authentic National Secretary, as well as a stay of execution on an Appeal Court judgment against him.

Akpabio Declines Setting Up Ad Hoc Committee

Despite the heated debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined to set up the proposed ad hoc committee, citing ongoing court cases on the PDP crisis as the reason.

With this latest defection and the increasing turmoil within the PDP, the Senate’s reaction underscores the deepening struggles of Nigeria’s main opposition party, raising concerns over the future of multi-party democracy in the country.