Seemingly, tensions are rising within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as concerns mount over the potential loss of members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the 2023 general elections. Adding to the unease, President Bola Tinubu recently convened a meeting with two prominent figures from the PDP, former presidential aspirant Anyim Pius Anyim, and former National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh, at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

Although the specifics of the meeting were not divulged, such inter-party engagements often give rise to suspicions of defection negotiations. The growing tension within the PDP has become a matter of concern for numerous party stakeholders, as President Tinubu has engaged in meetings with notable PDP members since assuming office. These include former Delta State Governor James Ibori, members of the PDP Group of five governors (G5) such as former Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, former Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Ifeanyi Uguwanyi of Enugu State, as well as Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The flurry of interactions between President Tinubu and influential PDP figures has raised eyebrows within the PDP leadership, fueling concerns about potential defections and the shifting political landscape leading up to the 2023 elections. As the PDP grapples with internal tensions, the party’s stakeholders are closely watching developments and assessing the impact on their electoral prospects.