Politics
PDP, APC And 2019 Elections
The All Progressives
Congress (APC) in its usual blame game has been accusing the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government of plunging the country into the current economic predicament. The APC, in a statement released to newsmen in Abuja recently, warned the PDP to stop making insensitive comments about the economy as the APC government is conscious of the hardship its citizens are faced with.
Reacting to the so-called “orchestrated and insensitive comments by the PDP on the economy, the APC through its national secretary, Mai Mala Buni said: “In spite of PDP’s orchestrated and feeble attempts to blackmail the current administration and twist facts, the reality remains that the prevailing socio-economic hardship faced by Nigerians is a direct hardship faced by Nigerians is a direct consequence of the mismanagement of the economy.
“It also includes the unprecedented looting of the country’s commonwealth perpetrated under PDP’s watch. The PDP’s attempt to turn truth on its head is fraudulent, insensitive and an insult to Nigerians. For the umpteenth time, the PDP must own up to its transgression and apologise to Nigerians”, he said, urging Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari.
But former President Goodluck Jonathan recently debunked APC’s blame insinuations, saying that the current economic recession in the country was unprecedented.
The chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, on Monday, October 24,2016, said the APC had taken responsibility for Nigeria’s economic downturn. He said although some of the problems predated the present administration, the party must take responsibility without shifting blame.
Okorocha who spoke with State House correspondents shortly after leading the APC governors to a closed-door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja said: “This was not a problem brought by APC government, it is a problem that has existed long before APC came to government and we are only trying to clear the mess of the past. But we must take responsibility and we must never shift the responsibility to anybody. As APC, we are responsible for everything happening in Nigeria. We are responsible for the good, the bad, the ugly, but we are promising Nigerians that we shall fix it”.
While admitting that Nigerians were passing through difficult times, Okorocha said there was no surgery that was not painful, adding that Nigerians were experiencing pains because the country was going through what he called “a very serious economic surgery”. The Imo State Governor asked Nigerians to be more patient with the present administration.
The truth remains that no matter the allegations leveled against the PDP-led administration in the past 16 years, Nigerians never had it so tough and rough economically. With the present economic situation, no one knows where the country is headed. Inflation rate is on the high side and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate is awful. I think it’s high time the APC-led administration clipped the wings of this hydra headed economic monster called recession before it suffers a mass drift of its members to the PDP before the 2019 general elections.
Nigerians have run out of patience as there is astronomical rise in inflation and unemployment rate, and socio-political temperature in the country. One area where the opposition Peoples Democratic Party can take free-ride or optimum advantage to actualize its struggle of taking over power in 2019 is in the fact that Nigeria has been punch drunk by the ruling APC. The country has been plunged into economic coma which only God can bring her back to life. For 18 months after taking over government, the APC is yet to grasp or have the strong political will to fix the nation’s economy.
Already, with eyes firmly focused on the Presidency, the PDP is working assiduously towards taking over Aso Rock in 2019. The party stands a better chance and firmly to retrieve its stolen mandate in the 2015 election.
In a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day South-West PDP stakeholders and Elders Meeting held in Gazo Event Centre, Toll Gate, Ibadan, Oyo State, the party decided that irrespective of the various challenges facing the party at the national level, the party’s leadership vowed to remain in PDP with a view to taking over power in Nigeria in 2019.
2019 is around the corner and ahead of this politically-charged and highly volatile socio-economic environment lies a fiercely loyal-but-highly- critical support base for the PDP. One of the major challengs in running Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape is that of ensuring that best practices are employed to boost the economy.
There are strong indications that PDP is bouncing back to life. At a meeting convened by the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) members from South-West, on the platform of South-West PDP Forum, the members and leaders of the party were urged to close ranks and work together as a solid and united team to sustain the control of Ondo State in the forthcoming gubernational election and take over their stolen mandate at the Aso Rock come next election in 2019. The forum called on the state chapters of the party to replicate this type of meeting in their respective states to resolve all internal grievances.
The party’s former national deputy chairman, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, in his welcome address at the meeting, urged the two factions in the PDP at all levels to unite in order to avoid monumental loss in the forthcoming elections.
The meeting, he explained, was “purely the initiative of the south-west members of the Board of Trustees, which is a replica of what the main body is doing at the centre, and an extension of the National Reconciliation Committee”.
He said: “PDP is not dead and will not die. Therefore, be wary of poachers, else, you are misled. Neither the APC nor any other emerging party will subdue the PDP any more because when we rise, neither APC nor any new party would have any more lie to tell Nigerians”.
He explained that the meeting was an honest attempt to call members of the party back on track after the Port Harcourt convention saga and the lull that followed it.
Onyedokun commended the national body of PDP and enjoined members to identify with the peace moves initiated by Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National caretaker committee and Senator Ali Modu Sheriff’s committee.
It is unfortunate that when the ruling APC should be settling down to delivering on its mandate, it is struggling with the economy and other less important issues. The party is without any remarkable policy accomplishments.
Under its watchful eyes, remedial measures relative to reducing the cost of governance, fiscal reform, improving power supply, growing the non-oil sector, generating wealth and employment to rejuvenate the economy are hardly applied. Buhari rather than save Nigeria from the shackles of misery and Senator, has been concentrations on endless journey of recovering so-called looted funds Nigerians are yet to know where they are channeled ok.
Governor Okorocha’s courage and true confession that the APC should take responsibility for economic downturn is quite commendable but the party has to work harder and ensure that the economy bounces back.
On its part, the PDP should do everything possible to put its hose inorder bearing in mind that the country is also suffering due to the leadership crisis rocking it. As the main opposition party, the PDP is supposed to be a key party in rallying bipartisan consensus on critical national issues, especially salvaging the country’s ailing economy. Political parties are vital in sustaining any truly democratic government.
Nigeria needs a more streamlined government that will rehabilitate the country’s poor roads, approve plans for new ones, ensure sustained power supply, revive the economy and eradicate poverty improve infrastructure, among other things. It is believe that from the present happening in the country, the PDP would have learned its lessons which would strengthen it to get hold of power and deliver to the people if it re-emerges in 2019.
Viewing what is happening now, one is forced to say that the APC family is more or less of amateur politicians with shallow political foundation and cracks. They are likened to street boys who fill potholes with sand or rubble and hold out their palms for tips from the motorists who roll slowly by, but their amateur repair work rarely survives the first downpour. So, in the middle of the day, the streets are horribly gridlocked. The PDP, like the local arm of the global beverage giant, was very helpful but some selfish Nigerians, did not care to know, hence the clamour for change.
Nigerians now find themselves in a car with no cooling breeze coming through the windows, it is monstrously humid. After five minutes in the cab, they are sweating like a pig in a plastic jogging suit. Under Nigerian concept, it may not be easy to move the country to the right direction until the right person arrives.
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Shedie Okpara
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had taken note of Mr Obi’s defection alongside some of his supporters, as well as what it called a “lacklustre speech” delivered by the former Anambra State governor at the defection event.
“We wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” the party said, adding that it was not surprised by the move, having “since September 2024, parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly.”
According to the statement, the faction said it had patiently awaited Mr Obi’s exit, describing it as a blessing.
“The party is finally liberated by this defection and as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the party said.
The faction further disclosed that it had previously urged Mr Obi and his supporters to leave if they were unable to work with the party leadership.
It claimed that several lawmakers had been suspended for anti-party activities and that similar action would have been taken against Mr Obi but for the intervention of “some well-meaning Nigerians.”
It also blamed its internal crisis on Mr Obi and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, accusing them of sponsoring what it described as an insurrection against the Julius Abure-led leadership.
“The crisis we had in the Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Alex Otti,” the statement alleged, adding that it was surprising Dr Otti had not followed Mr Obi out of the party despite his suspension.
Reacting to Mr Obi’s defection event in Enugu, the faction claimed the gathering was largely boycotted by prominent political and traditional institutions in the South East, insisting that those present were “political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today.”
It warned that this development signalled the failure of any future Mr Obi presidential or vice-presidential ambition, claiming he had “clearly lost the charm that had endeared him to the people prior to 2023.”
The faction also accused Mr Obi of misleading the South East during the 2023 elections, alleging that the region suffers political marginalisation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a result.
“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” the statement said, alleging disparities in ministerial appointments and infrastructure allocation to the zone.
The Abure-Led LP apologised to Nigerians for its decision in the last election.
“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.
It urged Nigerians to watch out for a rebranded Labour Party, promising to present “the best prospect” capable of returning Nigeria to what it described as its “glorious days.”
steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity”, he said.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, Dr Oluyede said the development came as a shock, stressing that INEC supervised and monitored the PDP governorship primary that produced him as the party’s candidate.
According to him, INEC officials documented the process, completed all required forms, and even affirmed his candidacy in court through sworn affidavits arising from cases linked to the primary election.
He maintained that no court order or injunction currently restrains INEC from listing his name as the PDP candidate, arguing that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to determine who emerges as a party’s nominee.
Dr Oluyede described such decisions as the exclusive responsibility of political parties, not the electoral umpire.
While playing down panic over the released list, Dr Oluyede noted that electoral processes often involve reviews and corrections.
He disclosed that he had commenced wide consultations, including engagements with PDP leadership and formal correspondence with INEC, to seek clarification on the omission and determine the next line of action.
The PDP candidate assured his supporters across Ekiti State that he would appear on the ballot, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved in his favour.
He described attempts to exclude candidates from elections as dangerous and undemocratic, warning that such tactics undermine the people’s right to freely choose their leaders.
Dr Oluyede called on the people of Ekiti to reject any form of disenfranchisement, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas, records, and acceptance by the electorate rather than exclusionary maneuvers.
He also declared that the PDP in Ekiti had resolved its past internal crises and was now united, focused, and ready to win the forthcoming governorship election.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, expressing optimism that, with divine grace and the will of the people, the PDP would emerge victorious at the polls.
Mr Obi spoke while formally declaring for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at a well-attended event in Enugu on Wednesday, where he outlined what he described as a fresh roadmap for rescuing the country from its socio-economic challenges.
Addressing party members, supporters and other stakeholders, the former governor stressed that leadership must be driven by integrity and accountability, warning against the culture of double standards in public office.
“We cannot continue to deceive our people. Leadership is about telling the truth and leading by example. You cannot promise one thing in public and do another in private. That is not leadership, and that is not the change Nigeria needs”, Mr Obi said.
He maintained that genuine national rebirth would only be possible if entrenched wrongs were corrected, adding that governance must be guided by competence, discipline and a clear sense of purpose.
Mr Obi also underscored the need for fresh thinking in the nation’s political space, urging political actors to move away from recycled ideas that have failed to deliver sustainable development.
“We must come with new ideas,” he said, adding that “Nigeria’s problems are not mysterious; what has been lacking is the courage and competence to address them differently. We need a new approach that puts people first and focuses on production, not consumption.”
Calling for a broad based political collaboration, Mr Obi appealed to parties and stakeholders across ideological divides to work together in the national interest.
“This country is bigger than any party or individual. All parties must come together to change the present trend. What matters is not the platform, but the future of Nigeria and the wellbeing of its citizens”, he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Mr Obi challenged aspirants seeking elective offices to ensure transparency in their credentials, warning that the era of falsified certificates was drawing to a close.
“Anyone contesting for any position in 2027 must come with genuine certificates. All the machinery is now in place to verify what is genuine and what is not. Integrity must start from the very foundation of leadership”, he stated.
Drawing lessons from international development models, Mr Obi cited Rwanda and Indonesia as examples of countries that rose from difficult beginnings to become thriving economies through disciplined leadership and sound policies.
“These countries were once behind us,” he noted, adding that “Today, they are moving ahead because they chose competent leadership, clear vision and policies that support local production and human capital development.”
He also criticised the economic policies of the present administration, particularly the continued importation of food items that can be produced locally, describing such practices as inimical to national development.
“You cannot grow an economy by killing local production. Importing food that we can produce in Nigeria destroys jobs, weakens our farmers and drains our foreign exchange. A serious country must produce what it consumes”, he argued.
The event featured renewed calls from ADC supporters for sustained engagement and mobilisation, as Mr Obi reiterated his belief that Nigeria remains redeemable if led with honesty, competence and a commitment to shared national progress.
In his remarks, the National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the emerging coalition, assuring Nigerians that the party would deliver good governance at all levels of administration if entrusted with power.
The gathering also witnessed the defection of several prominent politicians from different political parties across the South-East and beyond.
The motion endorsing the defection was moved by a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, and seconded by former economic adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Osita Ogbu.
Goodwill messages from notable political figures, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu, Chief Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Achike Udenwa, Mr Onyema Ugochukwu and Senator Gilbert Nnaji among others, further underscored the growing momentum within the ADC.