The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Federal Government of using state development as a tool of political coercion. According to the opposition party, this practice pressures governors and elected officials to defect to the ruling party in exchange for federal support.
The PDP warned that this trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegation was made on Friday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, during an appearance on the Arise News Morning Show. The programme examined the shrinking opposition space and the rising wave of defections from the PDP.
Ememobong argued that recent defections, including those involving the governors of Osun and Rivers states, reflect a troubling political climate.
“People say they want to connect to the centre. That presupposes a system that is not egalitarian but nepotistic,” he said.
According to him, development should be a constitutional right, not a political favour reserved for loyalists of the ruling party.
Ememobong stressed that the belief that states must align with the federal government to access development is undemocratic.
“If you do not connect to the centre, you cannot take development home. That is clearly anti-development and anti-democratic,” he said.
He added that after the 2023 elections, the party hoped internal divisions would heal. Instead, he said some actors worsened existing tensions.
Addressing claims that a faction allegedly backed by former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike is recognised by INEC, Ememobong dismissed the assertion.
He insisted that the party’s legitimate structure remains intact under Kabir Tanimu Turaki, noting that PDP staff, state chairmen, Board of Trustees members, and ex-officio members support the current leadership.
“Those claiming otherwise cannot challenge the government because they have openly declared support for the President in 2027,” he said.
Despite current challenges, Ememobong expressed confidence in the PDP’s resilience. He recalled that the party began in 1998 without governors or senators but later built a national political structure.
“The quantitative voice of the people will always compete with the qualitative voice of the elites,” he said.
