PDP set to seek funding for activities amid challenges

The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering seeking funding for its activities from nominal members amid the party’s current challenges.

The once vibrant opposition party has been hit by a series of crises, forcing the mass exodus of big-pocket financiers, including state governors, to other political platforms ahead of the 2027 polls.

The development also appeared to have whittled the influence of some ‘godfathers’, who ordinarily fund the party as they now look elsewhere.

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Among its “rebirth” agenda, the PDP plans to use membership drive and contributions for funding its activities henceforth and return the ownership of the structures to them.

The plan was disclosed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, while appearing on a live television programme monitored in Abuja.

He explained, “Life is a curve; you go from the bottom to the apex and back down again. We started from zero in 1998, ruled for 16 years, and then began a descent. We have reached the bottom of the valley, and now we are heading back up. This is a rebirth process, which is always painful. We are analyzing our mistakes and successes.

“We have both ‘qualitative ‘and ‘quantitative’ voices in the party. While the qualitative voices (the elite) are important, democracy is a game of numbers. We are balancing these while navigating the court process. Simultaneously, we are using a ‘poly-opportunity strategy; fighting in court while conducting grassroots mobilisation and stakeholder engagement.”

Ememobong added, “The strategy is simple: go back to the people. You need funding to entice people, but when people are with you voluntarily, they fund the cause. In 1998, people brought small contributions to fund the party, and that gave them a voice.

“When governors took over the funding, the people were pushed aside. We are returning to that voluntary model. If 60 million Nigerians give ₦10,000 each, that is a huge sum. We are seeing this mass movement already in states like Plateau and Akwa Ibom.”

When asked whether the PDP would work with other political parties to win the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections due to its weakening strength, the party spokesman dismissed the idea.
He said, “The FCT is historically PDP territory at the local government level. We are reaching the ‘500 people’ directly rather than through one elite ‘gatekeeper.’

“Regarding Ekiti, our candidate emerged cleanly. We are going to court to ensure INEC recognises that process.

“As for a merger, the time for that hasn’t matured. We are in an ‘embryonic stage’ of collaboration. We have an understanding among the opposition because we face a common adversary; the ruling party, which won with less than 40% of the vote.

“We refrain from attacking other opposition parties like the Labor Party or ADC because we are focused on the larger goal.”

Commenting on the security situation in the country, Ememobong noted, “the outlook is gloomy. We are seeing a “normalisation of insecurity” where feeling unsafe is the standard.

“We need comprehensive, sustainable solutions, not makeshift ones like using NYSC camps for police training. The best ambassadors to change the narrative aren’t PR firms in Washington, but the citizens in Benue, Plateau, and Borno who live these realities every day.”