PDP chieftain Segun Sowunmi has called on Peter Obi to stop portraying Nigeria negatively, especially when speaking at international events.

Sowunmi reacted to Obi’s recent post on X, where the former Labour Party presidential candidate compared Nigeria’s economic progress with that of China, Indonesia, and Vietnam during a visit to Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

Obi had pointed out that in 1990, when the Human Development Index (HDI) began, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia were all placed in the medium category. He noted that while the three other countries have moved up to the high category by 2025, Nigeria has dropped to the low category.

However, Sowunmi disagreed with Obi’s assessment, arguing that the comparison was unfair and incomplete.

Posting on X, Sowunmi said, “With all due respect @PeterObi, these measurements are faulty. They are extremely biased because those who create these figures do not know how to measure Nigeria’s informal sector.

“You need to stop this, especially at international forums. Instead, you should be holding them accountable for the harmful neoliberal policies and hidden pressures that have held Africa back.

“No one who hopes to lead Nigeria should be the loudest voice tearing it down. You must stop this immediately,” he said.

Usman Bugaje, a former House of Reps member and one-time presidential adviser, has claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is using money as a tool to lure members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Bugaje believes many defections happening now are mostly driven by money, although there may be other factors like pressure from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on those with questionable records. Still, he says the real motivation behind these political crossovers is financial gain.

His comments follow a major political shake-up in Delta State where the sitting governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor and Atiku’s 2023 running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, along with several lawmakers and local government chairmen, moved to the APC.

Bugaje spoke on a news program, saying;

“From what I know, the APC is simply buying off PDP members. Some call it the carrot and stick method — the carrot is the money, but as for the stick, I’m not too sure. Maybe it’s linked to EFCC pressure. This practice has been going on since the Obasanjo era. But the core issue here is money.”

He warned that if politics continues to be shaped by money, then democracy itself is at risk. “It’s a dangerous trend,” he said. “If money keeps deciding who joins which party, then we’ve lost what democracy is supposed to stand for.”

Reacting to the defection, the PDP’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, admitted the party didn’t see the Delta move coming. But he stressed that the outcome of the next elections won’t depend on how many governors each party has, but on the people’s verdict on the APC’s governance.

Bugaje wasn’t convinced the PDP still holds its ground as a real opposition. Referring to past actions, including how members responded to the emergency rule debate and budget matters, he said, “The PDP lost its opposition voice the moment Wike took the path he did. Since then, there’s been no real resistance or leadership coming from them.”

Top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently gathered for a stakeholders’ meeting in Abia North. This meeting was focused on revitalizing the party to take back power in the state by 2027.

Attendees from the five local governments in the region came together with a shared commitment. They aimed to move past the divisive issues that had hindered the party in the past.

During the meeting, held at the home of Mandela Obasi, a member of the Abia State House of Assembly represented Ohafia North. PDP Chairman Abraham Amah expressed strong confidence that the party would make a comeback. He stated that the PDP’s candidates for the 2027 elections would be chosen through fair primaries. In addition, they would need to have the capacity to win.

Amah emphasized that the days of sentiment and impunity were over for the PDP. He insisted that the party was now more connected with the people. He also issued a stern warning to anyone pretending to be a member of the PDP while working against its interests. Also stressing that such actions would have consequences.

Mandela Obasi and Emmanuel Ndubuisi, who represent Ohafia North and Bende South in the state assembly, also spoke at the meeting. Both assured that they would remain loyal to the PDP and work for its future success. They said this despite some colleagues leaving the party for other political groups.

In a communique signed by the party’s leaders, including Chairman Amah, they made it clear that they were fully committed to ensuring the PDP reclaims the Abia State Government House in 2027.