PDP Dismisses Rabiu Kwankwaso as Politically Irrelevant Amid Ongoing Disputes

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), calling him an insignificant figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.

This sharp rebuke came after Kwankwaso’s claim that the PDP is a “dead” party, prompting a heated response from PDP’s spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba.

Ologunagba argued that Kwankwaso, who is struggling to lead the NNPP—a party with control over only Kano State—lacks the political clout to make such bold statements about the PDP.

Kwankwaso, a former member of the PDP, made his controversial remarks during an event in Kano, where he suggested that his departure, along with his supporters, marked the decline of the PDP. He stated, “I wish to remind you that PDP is dead because we left the party. Since they have gone out of the line, we decided to check out.”

His comments were intended to highlight what he perceives as the diminishing influence of the PDP in Nigerian politics, a stance that was immediately rebuffed by the party’s officials.

In response, Ologunagba issued a statement dismissing Kwankwaso’s comments as unfounded and indicative of his narrow, self-serving political outlook.

He argued that Kwankwaso’s political relevance has waned significantly, particularly as he leads a party that is struggling to make a mark on the national stage.

“Our reaction to the statement credited to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is that he is very inconsequential in Nigerian national politics today, judging from the fact that he is struggling to lead a party called NNPP which is also struggling to control only one state,” Ologunagba stated.

Ologunagba further emphasised that it is absurd for Kwankwaso, who is now part of a party with minimal national presence, to dismiss the PDP, which remains a significant force in Nigeria.

The PDP currently boasts 13 governors, numerous Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and has a substantial presence across all local government areas and wards in the country.

According to Ologunagba, these factors underscore the PDP’s resilience and continued relevance in the Nigerian political landscape, in stark contrast to the NNPP’s limited influence.

The PDP spokesperson did not hold back in his critique of Kwankwaso’s leadership qualities, describing him as self-centred and lacking the qualities of a true leader.

He stated, “It is unfathomable to imagine that a failed and inconsequential politician with only one state would claim that a party that has 13 governors, many Senators, many members of the House of Representatives, several State Assembly controls and strong presence in all the local government areas and wards across the country is dead.

More disturbing is that Sen. Kwankwaso has exhibited extreme selfishness and self-centredness, which shows that he is not a leader.”

This war of words between the PDP and Kwankwaso highlights the ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition politics, as parties jostle for relevance and influence in the lead-up to future elections.

Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and a notable political figure, has often positioned himself as a reformist voice, critical of the established political order represented by both the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, his assertion that the PDP is a dying party seems to have struck a nerve, triggering a strong defensive stance from his former political home.

Kwankwaso’s departure from the PDP and subsequent leadership of the NNPP reflects the broader fragmentation within Nigeria’s political opposition, where personal ambitions and ideological differences have often led to splintering and the formation of smaller parties.

While the NNPP has managed to secure a foothold in Kano State, its national impact remains limited, raising questions about its long-term viability and the effectiveness of Kwankwaso’s leadership.

Ologunagba’s response underscores the PDP’s determination to maintain its status as a formidable opposition force, despite the challenges posed by defections and internal divisions.

By highlighting the party’s broad base of support and established political infrastructure, the PDP seeks to reassure its members and the wider public of its enduring strength and relevance.

As Nigeria moves closer to the next electoral cycle, the rivalry between the PDP and emerging parties like the NNPP is likely to intensify.

For the PDP, maintaining unity and projecting a cohesive vision will be crucial to countering narratives like those put forward by Kwankwaso.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso and the NNPP will need to demonstrate that they can expand beyond their current strongholds and offer a credible alternative to Nigeria’s established political parties.

In this dynamic and often volatile political environment, the contest for public support and political dominance is set to continue, with each party striving to prove that it represents the best path forward for Nigeria.

Whether Kwankwaso’s NNPP can rise to that challenge, or whether the PDP can reclaim its former glory, remains to be seen.

For now, the battle of words reflects the broader struggle for political relevance and leadership in one of Africa’s most complex democracies.