Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan speaks in Abuja during the inauguration of the PDP Convention Committee. CREDIT: Mike Idoko
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has raised alarm over the significant decline in the number of lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), revealing that the party has lost 31 senators due to its prolonged internal crisis.
She made this known in Abuja during the inauguration of the PDP Convention Committee, an event seen as a major step toward restoring unity within the opposition party ahead of future elections.
In a statement issued through her media aide, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed deep concern over the wave of defections that has drastically reduced the party’s strength in the Senate. She noted that when she joined the PDP caucus in November 2023, the party had 37 senators, but that number has now dropped to just six.
According to her, the persistent leadership crisis within the party played a major role in the exodus of lawmakers. She explained that many of her colleagues cited internal disputes as the reason for leaving the PDP, though she believes efforts are now underway to address those issues.
Despite the challenges, the lawmaker expressed optimism that the inauguration of the convention committee marks a turning point for the party. She also appealed to former members who defected to reconsider their decision, insisting that the PDP remains a viable political platform.
Meanwhile, former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who now chairs the PDP 2026 National Convention Committee, described the moment as critical in the party’s history. In his remarks, he emphasized that the convention represents more than a routine gathering, but a defining opportunity for reflection and renewal.
Ikpeazu acknowledged that the PDP had gone through a difficult period marked by internal disagreements and legal battles that tested its unity and resilience. However, he described the recent affirmation of the party’s National Caretaker Working Committee by the appellate court as a fresh opportunity to rebuild.
He called on party members to embrace reconciliation, stressing the need for honesty, mutual respect, and unity in moving forward. According to him, the party must work together to deliver a transparent and credible convention that will produce a strong leadership team capable of repositioning the PDP for the 2027 general elections.
The inauguration of the committee is widely seen as a crucial step toward stabilizing the PDP, rebuilding trust among members, and strengthening its role as a leading opposition party, especially in the Senate where its presence has significantly declined.
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