The national leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has drawn a firm line, stating that former members who defected to the ruling APC are permanently exiled, while predicting a mass return of other departing members.

In a television interview, Emmanuel Ogidi, the PDP’s South-South Zonal Chairman, asserted that the party’s recent internal crisis was “self-inflicted.” He confirmed the expulsion of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his closest allies, declaring “no possibility of their return.”

Ogidi distinguished between Wike’s group and other members who left or remained inactive. He expressed strong confidence that those not formally expelled would soon rejoin the party’s ranks.

When pressed on the party’s current condition—whether it is united or fragmented—Ogidi insisted the PDP is “moving on.” He admitted the party suffered “a heavy blow,” which he attributed to the ruling APC government’s use of Wike’s faction.

However, he emphasized resilience, stating the party’s core foundation remains intact. “We lost some members, but we did not lose the base of the party. The base of the party is the grassroots. The base is still strong,” Ogidi stated.

This declaration positions the PDP in a posture of recovery, acknowledging significant losses while attempting to project strength and unity from its grassroots support.

The party now faces the practical test of attracting back its strayed members, as its leadership publicly dismisses any reconciliation with its most prominent defectors.