The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lampooned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for celebrating defections into its fold like a successful policy, amid the economic hardship and insecurity across the country.
The national publicity secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, who said this at a press conference in Abuja, added that the 2027 elections would not be defined by defections but a referendum on the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He also dismissed claims that the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting convened on May 27, 2025, was illegal, adding that it was a demonstration against the president’s preference for a one-party state.
He also tackled the Tinubu administration for seeking a fresh loan of $24.5 billion, recalling that the administration had earlier said it removed fuel subsidy to stop government borrowing.
Speaking on the spate of defection and the 2027 prospects, Ologunagba said, “We have witnessed a lot of issues, from defection or no defection. We must emphasise that the election of 2027 is not going to be about defection.
“It’s going to be a referendum on the failure of the APC, 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.
“We have stated severally the need for a review of policy by the government. When you do that, that is leadership, that is strength 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, that 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 on record.
“Then you see this government, celebrating defection as if it’s celebrating a successful implementation of policies.”
Labelling the APC government as one that believes in propaganda, Ologunagba said
“The question that every Nigerian is asking today is; am I better two years ago than I am right now? The answer is obvious, and we are all in the same market,” he said.
He said the PDP NEC demonstrated to Tinubu that his preference for a one-party state will not manifest.
“Our party has demonstrated with that outing, and setting up those organs, and those bodies and committees to show that yes, Nigerians need democracy, and that they continue to look up to PDP, because of its history, because of its resilience, because of its organs, because of its constitution, where nobody owns the party,” he said.
Faulting the federal government’s recent loan request, the PDP spokesman said, “Only last week, the president had just asked for and requested for a $24.5 billion loan. What they said that is actually 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 subsidy on petrol, and therefore, there’ll be more money to provide cushioning policies and programs, to take away the pain of the subsidy. Now, the question is, where is the money? If indeed, you’re going to borrow money to not cushion the effect of the subsidy, two years after?”, he said.
