In light of the 2027 election in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), yesterday, gave different interpretations on the implication of Ghana’s presidential election which was won by the country’s opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its candidate, John Mahama.
Reacting to the outcome of the election, PDP, the leading opposition party in Nigeria, said the NDC and Mahama’s victory will inspire a defeat of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
But Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Nigeria has told PDP to take a leaf from Ghana’s opposition party by embarking on needed reforms and putting its house in order.
They both however agreed that the election reflected the will of the Ghanaian people.
Their positions were conveyed in congratulatory messages to the people of Ghana, the NDC and President John Mahama to power.
The national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, said the victory of democracy on the platform of the opposition NDC is a clear demonstration of the triumph of the power of the people over misrule and oppressive policies of government as now being witnessed in Nigeria under the APC.
PDP said the verdict of the people of Ghana in the presidential election “signaled to the APC that its days in office are numbered as the power of the people in Nigeria, just like in Ghana, will surely prevail, end APC’s oppressive rule and return Nigeria to the path of good governance, security, political stability and economic prosperity on the platform of the PDP in 2027.”
“Nigerians now recall with nostalgia and earnestly seek a return of the golden years of the PDP in government as their only hope for survival and triumph of their dreams, aspiration and collective Will as a people.”
The PDP called on all institutions of government especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to note the yearning of Nigerians and ensure that all processes are put in place to guarantee that only the Will of the people prevail in elections.
But the CUPP told PDP to embark on reforms and get its affairs in order.
Reacting to the outcome of the election, secretary general of CUPP, Peter Ameh, along with Nigeria’s opposition lawmakers, said Mahama’s victory reaffirms the power of the opposition, and that it is a powerful endorsement of his vision and leadership by the Ghanaian electorate.
The coalition described the election as a pivotal moment for Ghana and an inspiration for other African democracies striving for transparency, accountability, and people-centered governance.
According to CUPP, Mahama’s victory is proof of the importance of staying true to democratic ideals and maintaining a genuine connection with the electorate, even as a member of the opposition party.
The CUPP said PDP’s refusal to engage in meaningful introspection and reform continues to hinder its chances of reclaiming relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to the coalition, “the PDP’s repeated reliance on propaganda and internal strife is a stark contrast to Mahama’s disciplined and strategic approach, which ultimately secured his victory in Ghana.”
The coalition called on PDP to “abandon its self-destructive tendencies, undergo necessary reforms, and embrace a focused, unified strategy that prioritizes the interests of the Nigerian people over narrow, self-serving agendas.
“At a time when Nigerians are yearning for credible alternatives to the ruling party, the PDP’s behavior is nothing short of disgraceful. Instead of acting as a formidable opposition, they have chosen the path of cowardice, petty distractions, and internal bickering.
“ This is a wake-up call for the PDP to reform, refocus, and march towards victory, as Mahama has demonstrated in Ghana,” the CUPP stated.
The CUPP further criticised certain elements within the PDP, accusing them of cowardice and engaging in petty distractions at a time when unity and focus are paramount.
This stern rebuke follows recent claims by some factions in the PDP alleging that CUPP spokesperson and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ugochinyere Michael Ikeagwuonu (popularly known as Ikenga Ugochinyere), had been suspended from the party.
The CUPP described the allegations as baseless, mischievous, and indicative of the PDP’s ongoing internal dysfunction.
The coalition labeled the suspension claim as the desperate act of a fractured party clinging to unproductive schemes instead of addressing its glaring leadership crises and electoral failures.
It would be recalled that former President Mahama secured a decisive lead in the 2024 presidential election conducted on Saturday, which many have described as a triumphant return to power.
Although the Electoral Commission of Ghana is yet to officially declare the final results, the overwhelming support for Mahama has rendered his victory all but indisputable, and has continued to receive an outpour of congratulatory messages from different groups and individuals.
