A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, has alleged that newly appointed ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark abandoned the PDP after recognizing his slim chances of securing the party’s national chairmanship position.
During an interview with News Central TV 15:14, he stated that Mark’s defection stems from anticipated failure at the upcoming PDP convention rather than genuine ideological differences. “Do you know why David Mark is so determined to go to ADC? What is he looking for? He tried to be National Chairman of PDP; you know he’s from North Central. He wanted to contest in the coming August convention for National Chairman of PDP. He has seen the light that he feels that it’s not going to work, and he is not going to get the ticket to be National Chairman.”
The PDP chieftain extended similar criticism to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of abandoning the party after sensing diminished prospects for another presidential nomination. “The same with Atiku; he’s hoping that he’ll get a ticket again. He has seen the political climate in PDP now that he may not get it, so he’s gone somewhere else for another one,” Pearse stated. “You run from here to there, from pillar to post; they’re not going anywhere.”
He characterized the defections as opportunistic moves that weaken Nigeria’s democratic opposition, arguing that leaders should strengthen existing structures rather than creating new platforms. “PDP is the only viable opposition to APC in Nigeria today, and therefore what people like Atiku should have done was to stay in PDP, help PDP strengthen itself, get united more and more, get ready to take power,” he continued. “If you really want to save Nigeria, you should be helping PDP, not running away from PDP. Every time there’s a problem, Atiku runs away.”
Meanwhile, Dumebi Kachikwu, the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, has revealed the coalition’s primary objective: positioning Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate for 2027.
Kachikwu’s disclosure comes amid leadership changes within ADC, where a faction led by Ralph Nwosu appointed David Mark and former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola as interim national chairman and secretary respectively.
The former presidential candidate has vowed to challenge the coalition’s formation in court, claiming the process violated legal procedures and party constitution.
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