The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced its displeasure over remarks made by former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who described the PDP as a “dead” party.
Kwankwaso made the controversial statement during the inauguration of the newly renovated office of his party, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), in Katsina State on Saturday.
He claimed that his departure, along with that of his supporters, marked the decline of the PDP.
“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,” Kwankwaso stated.
Responding to these comments, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba dismissed Kwankwaso’s remarks as inconsequential.
In a statement sent via WhatsApp on Sunday, Ologunagba said, “Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso holds minimal significance in Nigerian national politics today. His struggle to lead the NNPP, which barely controls a single state, underscores his limited impact.”
Ologunagba questioned the logic behind Kwankwaso’s claim that the PDP, which has 13 governors, numerous senators, and control over several state assemblies, is a “dead” party.
“It is unfathomable that a politician with influence in only one state would make such a claim,” he said.
He went on to criticize Kwankwaso for what he called “extreme selfishness” and accused him of prioritising personal ambitions over the pressing issues facing Nigerians.
“At a time when over 150 million Nigerians are sinking deeper into poverty, when the naira has fallen to over N1,600 to a dollar, and when the price of petrol has skyrocketed to over N1,200, the only thing occupying Senator Kwankwaso’s mind is his self-centred dream of becoming President,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP stated that any political relevance Kwankwaso once enjoyed was due to his involvement with the party, and that his current influence within the NNPP is limited at best.