Former Nasarawa PDP Chairman Orogu Breaks Silence, Says Onawo, Other Party Elders Have Lost Relevance

In an interview with City Post, Hon. Francis Orogu, the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, broke his silence to address pressing issues within the party and the State’s political landscape.

Orogu, who recently handed over the chairmanship of the party in the State to Hon. Adamu Bako Ninga having completed two terms in office, offered a detailed reflection on the party’s performance in the last elections, internal dynamics, and the actions of some prominent PDP figures.

When asked about his quiet stance since leaving office, Orogu stated, “It’s been a while since I granted any open interview or discussion with the press after leaving office. I just believe there’s a time for everything. I’ve done my bit, and the record is there for everyone to see. The country witnessed the last elections in Nasarawa State. I think this is the right time to reflect on what we did, what we failed to do, and prepare for the future.”

Orogu then addressed the recent meeting of some PDP members at the residence of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. While acknowledging their right to seek guidance from a party leader, Orogu cautioned against actions that might tarnish the party’s image for personal gain. “The group of individuals who went to Atiku’s residence have every political right to seek guidance from our leader. However, in doing so, they must not cast the party in a negative light simply because they want to position themselves for national relevance. Some of them owe their current political status to this party. Without PDP, they wouldn’t be who they are today,” he asserted.

His remarks appeared to be a direct response to a widely circulated video where Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, a PDP Senator elected just two years prior to represent Nasarawa South, claimed that the PDP in Nasarawa State had lost focus. Orogu vehemently refuted this assertion. “Let me be clear: Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo was elected just two years ago on the PDP platform. How then can he say the party has lost focus? It has not lost focus. The truth is that individuals like the senator have failed to contribute meaningfully. Since becoming senator, he could only provide financial support of N10 million during the membership validation exercise. Rt. Hon. David Ombugadu also contributed N9.5 million for the same exercise, others made donations ranging from N200,000 to N300,000. Beyond that, he has not provided any form of support to the party in any way.”

Orogu further shed light on the contentious party congresses, alleging that Senator Onawo’s lack of grassroots support was evident even in his own constituency. “Even in his own ward and local government, forms for the congress were purchased by His Excellency, not by him. The party ran on consensus across most areas. While in some areas, congresses were held without consensus, individuals were allowed to buy forms and contest. But instead of confronting the issue democratically, they rushed to court to frustrate the process. This has become his routine every four years. It’s not surprising,” Orogu stated.

Dismissing claims of the party being divided or losing relevance, especially those made by Senator Onawo and his allies who visited Atiku, Orogu argued that the disconnect lay with certain party elders. “It is not the party that has lost relevance. It’s these so-called elders and stakeholders who have lost touch. When you invite them to meetings, they go behind to plan something different and then turn around to accuse the party. Most of them are what I call ‘compulsorily retired politicians’. They’ve lost local influence and are now looking for appointments at the national level.”

Orogu also questioned the sincerity of these individuals’ support for Atiku Abubakar in the last election. “Absolutely not. I have all the election records. Some of the big names in that delegation gave Atiku only seven votes in their units, some not even up to 150 votes! Many lost to APC or Labour in their polling units. What support are they talking about or claiming? Atiku doesn’t need empty grammar; he needs votes. I can proudly say I delivered for Atiku over 45% of votes in my local government from my efforts,” he claimed.

Looking ahead, Orogu offered advice to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar regarding the “emerging new political journey.” He urged caution and reflection, suggesting that any new movement spearheaded by politically irrelevant figures was “bound to fail.” “My advice to Atiku is to watch his back, pause and reflect. If this so-called new journey is to be championed by politicians who’ve lost influence and relevance, it’s bound to fail. If there must be a new journey, it is the PDP that will transmit it. Many have left this party, and many have returned. The party is not built around those it has made, but around the grassroots who believe in it,” Orogu advised.

Finally, Orogu addressed the perceived internal wranglings within the PDP at the national level, stating that such issues were not unique to the party. “Tell me which party is stable in Nigeria today not even the APC. If APC is stable, why haven’t they held a national convention? The party has been surviving on caretaker to another, they’re afraid of something. So, internal issues are not peculiar to PDP. As far as I’m concerned, PDP in Nasarawa is still focused, and it’s individuals like Onawo and his group that have lost direction,” he concluded. Hon. Orogu’s interview provides a critical insider’s perspective on the recent political developments within the PDP in Nasarawa State, highlighting internal tensions and differing views on the party’s current standing.