PDP Crisis: We lost last election because Atiku was too cocky  – Tajudeen

As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepens, Tajudeen Yusuf, a party member and former House of Representatives member, has blamed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the party’s loss in the 2023 presidential election.
Commenting on the violence that disrupted the party’s Board of Trustees meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Yusuf warned that the opposition could repeat its 2023 mistakes if caution is not exercised.
He argued that the PDP lost the 2023 election due to its presidential candidate’s arrogance. Yusuf also pointed out that the ongoing crisis within the party stems from a power struggle, with some members jockeying for position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“What you have seen ahead of 2027 is that people are struggling for structure, for who controls what, and to become the party’s candidate. They forget the fact that being a candidate alone does not make you president. We lost the last election because I feel our flagbearer was too cocky and so sure he was the next president,” Yusuf said.
The ex-lawmaker further said that the PDP is not playing opposition as it should, adding that the crisis rocking the party is orchestrated by overambitious party members.
“The PDP is not playing opposition as it should because the PDP finds itself in the quagmire of over-ambitious men who believe they must always run for elections. A political party should be robust and not be about you running for election,” Yusuf said.
He explained that the violence that disrupted the BoT meeting was a clear sign of the ongoing power struggle within the party as members position themselves ahead of the next presidential primary.
Yusuf, who previously represented the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu constituency, acknowledged that the PDP’s internal crisis resolution mechanisms have failed. He added that the violence during the BoT meeting was a direct reflection of the party’s leadership failure.