As internal strife continues to shake the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former House of Representatives member Tajudeen Yusuf has pointed fingers at Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, blaming the party’s 2023 presidential election loss on the former vice president’s overconfidence.
Speaking in response to the violence that disrupted the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting in Abuja on January 29, 2025, Yusuf warned that if internal conflicts persist, the party risks repeating its past mistakes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
‘Atiku Was Too Sure of Victory’
Yusuf stated that the PDP’s defeat in 2023 was largely due to Atiku’s misplaced certainty that he would win.
"We lost the last election because I feel our flagbearer was too cocky and so sure he was the next president," he remarked.
He noted that instead of uniting, PDP members are embroiled in a struggle for control as they position themselves for the next presidential election.
"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."
PDP Failing as an Opposition Party
Yusuf also criticized the party’s inability to function effectively as an opposition force, blaming internal power struggles for its lackluster performance.
"The PDP is not playing opposition as it should because the party 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 just about personal ambitions."
Violence at BoT Meeting: A Sign of Leadership Failure
The former lawmaker pointed to the chaos at the BoT meeting as evidence of the PDP’s worsening internal crisis, saying the party’s conflict resolution mechanisms have failed.
"The violence at the BoT meeting is a manifestation of the struggle for control and power ahead of the next presidential primary. It is also a clear sign of our party’s leadership failure," he stated.
What’s Next for PDP?
With tensions rising and the party seemingly divided, Yusuf’s comments highlight the urgent need for the PDP to address its internal fractures before the 2027 elections. However, with power struggles intensifying, the question remains: Can the party recover in time to mount a serious challenge against the ruling APC?
