Main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said Nigerians will pass its judgement on the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, in 2027 for failing to address the current killing of innocent people and for years of untold hardships suffered under the government.
Debo Ologuagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, stated this while briefing Journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him ” 2027 is going to be a referendum on the failure of the APC government, the insecurity in the land, the lack of provision of amenities, and basic things for human existence, the fact that everyday Nigerians are losing their personality because of the misguided policies of the president.
The part, while also speaking on recent defections from the party to the ruling All Progressive Congress APC, Ologuagba added that ” defections or no defections, we must emphasise that the election of 2027 is not going to be about defection.
The PDP cautioned Nigerians against believing in the propaganda coming out daily from the government, adding that propaganda does not cure hunger.
“We have stated severally the need for a review of policy by the government, they should take a second look at what the people are saying. When you do that, that is leadership, that is strength and not weakness. But the APC believes that when they make a decision, you either take it or leave it.
“People are complaining that they are dying by instalment, life is coming to a halt, and the President and his team, and his government, are numb to that. In the last two years, over 600 Nigerians have been killed.
“Then you see this government, celebrating defection as if it’s celebrating a successful implementation of policies. So it’s a government that believes in propaganda. Propaganda does not replace hunger.
” Propaganda does not replace commitment to the people and believing in God. The question that every Nigerian is asking today, m: better two years ago than I am right now? The answer is obvious, and we are all in the same market.
The party said “records by world reports, has it that over 100 million Nigerians survive on $2 a day.
“That’s why our party needs to come together, which we are doing. We’re having conversations at different levels, and the next outcome is a demonstration of the success of those actions behind the scenes.
“So we just want to let you know that we’re on course, working assiduously towards a successful national executive, national working committee, and the national convention that will produce a new working committee for the party. And we’re determined to galvanise Nigeria on the need to sustain this democracy. So that’s the conversation, and then alternative views and ideas can be put on the table for Nigerian people to determine.
The party also berated recent requests by President Tinubu for a $24.5 billion loan, and wondered what the government does with the loans.
“What they said that is very annoying was that they’re going to use that money to cushion the effect of subsidy removal. We were here when they said to us, we’re going to remove subsidies, therefore, we will not borrow anymore, we’re not going to put a subsidy on petrol, and therefore, there’ll be more money for cushioning policies and programs, to take away the pain of the subsidy. Now, so the question is, where is the money? If indeed, you’re going to borrow money to cushion the effect of the subsidy, two years after.
“Many people have died on account of the irresponsibility of this government, because of their impoverishment, and that’s why we’re here. So they said that part of that money will be used to take care of pensioners. Pension is a contributory scheme. So where’s the money?
The PDP also berated the National Assembly for failing to interrogate the excesses of Tinubu’s administration.
” Of course, they have declared that whatever the president says is okay by them, and we have seen it. These are the things that Nigerians are going to challenge in 2027.
“One thing is clear, and Nigerians should rrecognisethat, we’re not in opposition to just criticising. This country should do well, so that all of us can benefit from it. It is not in our interest that the government fails, but the government must be ready to listen to alternative views that could help us build a country where all of us can pursue what we call the pursuit of happiness.
The PDP also dismissed claims that the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting was duly convened on the 27th of May, 2025, in line with its constitution.
Ologuagba said the Constitution of the party empowers Illya Damagum, the party’s acting National Chairman to convey the NEC meeting.
“Prior to that, there’s so many activities relating to that meeting, and there were naysayers, some said it would not hold, while others said it would hold, but ultimately, it held.”
Ologuagba noted that the successful hosting of the NEC meeting”signposts the resilience, the capacity, and the orderliness for which the PDP is known, its capacities to activate at appropriate time, its organs, and in line with its constitution, to look at the processes and ensure that the will of the party continues to move smoothly”
The PDP chieftain, while confirming that the party has challenges, no doubt, added that ” the successful convening of the meeting and the atmosphere at the meeting came out to show the capacity of this party to come together and be unified.
” You recall from different organs of the party, from the BoT, the NWC, the Governor’s Forum, the state Chairmen, everyone was united in ensuring that the NEC was successful”
He, however, disclosed that preparation for the next NEC, scheduled for June 27, has already started.d
BusinessDay recall that the NEC meeting held on the 27th of My, ha approved the constitution of two committees, including the Convention Committee, and the Zoning Committee.
To drive the committees, Governor Duoye Diri was appointed Chairman of the Zoning Committee, assisted by Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, as Vice-Chairman and Governor Caleb Muftwang as Secretary.
For the National Convention Committee, Governor Amadu Fintri of Adamawa State was made Chairman, while Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun was appointed Vice-Chairman, and Governor Peter Mbah was appointed Secretary.
Ologuagba who dismissed criticisms that the party was losing direction, said ” Currently, they are in consultation with different organs of the party, from the Governor’s Forum, to BOT, to National Assembly Caucuses of the party, to State Chairman, and other organs of the party, to National Executive Committee members of the party, in populating those committees. So there will be broad consultation from every part of the country, and every organ of the party is involved.
