The resignation of seven national officers of the main opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), from its National Working Committee (NWC) and the Supreme Court’s opinion questioning the validity of the Chairmanship of Mai Mala Buni of the ruling All Progressive Congress’ Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (Interim Committee), has thrown Nigeria’s two main parties into crisis ahead of the 2023 elections. There have been rumblings and even public calls by some members of the PDP for its National Chairman and current National Working Committee to resign.
Aggrieved members of the Party have accused the party leadership of incompetence and ineffectiveness. They cite recent decampment in the Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and inability to provide effective opposition, as some of the failings of the Prince Uche Secondus led PDP NWC.
The ruling APC is not less affected. Its current Interim Committee has been challenged as illegal in contrary to the Party’s constitution. The Interim Committee was set up to recover, rebuild and reposition APC as well as achieve peace building while giving a sense of belonging to every party member. Aggrieved party members cite the illegality of a serving governor being chairman of the party and as well for so long. They also point to the continued stay in office of the interim committee when the party’s constitution requires that elections should have held long ago. Different factions of the party are squabbling over who takes preeminence to control the party.
With escalating crisis in the two main parties and the 2023 general election happening in about 16 months, the Parties have a lot of catching up to do to be ready for the next general elections.