Abba Moro Pledges Loyalty to PDP Amid Defection Wave

Senator Abba Moro, the Senate Minority Leader representing Benue South, has delivered a strong vote of confidence in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), vowing to remain with the main opposition party despite a turbulent year of political realignments. Speaking during a high-profile consultative session with the recently inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, Moro dismissed rumors of his potential exit, characterizing himself as a “principled” stakeholder rather than a “desperate” politician looking for a quick exit.

The session, chaired by the newly elected National Chairman, Dr. Kabiru Turaki, comes at a critical juncture for the PDP following its successful elective national convention in Ibadan this past November. Moro’s remarks were aimed at stabilizing the party’s ranks after a series of defections by lawmakers and regional leaders since the start of 2025. He emphasized that his allegiance to the party transcends the immediate allure of the 2027 general elections, asserting that true democratic progress requires endurance rather than opportunistic platform-hopping. “We are not in PDP for the sake of using the platform to win elections,” Moro told the NWC, adding that no amount of political “intimidation” would force him to abandon the party’s structures.

In his address, the Senate Minority Leader urged the Turaki-led leadership to prioritize internal cohesion and healing. He noted that the post-convention period represents a “herculean” window for the NWC to salvage the party’s image and reconcile with aggrieved factions. Moro’s stance was echoed by Senator Adolphus Wabara, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), who praised the new leadership for its early efforts in restoring confidence among the grassroots. Wabara noted that the successful transition in Ibadan had begun to strengthen party structures that were previously fractured by internal disputes.

National Chairman Kabiru Turaki responded with an assurance that the PDP is being repositioned as the primary shield for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. He maintained that the party’s current focus is not merely on managing defections but on offering a credible alternative to the ruling party for the 2027 polls. Commending Moro and other PDP senators as “pillars” of the opposition, Turaki signaled that the new NWC would operate with a policy of “no more impunity,” aiming to bring back former members who left due to genuine grievances. As the party moves into 2026, the focus appears to be shifting from survival to active reconciliation.