Kaduna State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Edward Marshal, has said only the PDP, working with other opposition elements under its leadership, has the structure to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Marshal stated this in Kaduna yesterday when he received support from some political groups under the aegis of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (GOH) Front 2027.
Fielding questions from journalists on coalition politics, Marshal argued that no other political party has the nationwide spread and membership base of the PDP.
He maintained that at the appropriate time, opposition forces would inevitably rally behind the PDP.
“No party has more structure across the country than PDP. Take it or leave it. At the material time, they will all come under the leadership of PDP if our interest is to help our people and help ourselves to change this government,” he declared.
The party chairman noted that Nigerians are already disenchanted with the APC-led government, pointing to the prevailing hardship in the country as a major factor that will work against the ruling party at the polls.
“An average Nigerian today, you would not like to hear APC name anywhere. The condition of living is terrible, our children are dropping out of school, and many can hardly feed twice a day. In reality, the economy is bad and no Nigerian will vote APC. They know it,” he said.
Marshal further disclosed that the PDP’s forthcoming national convention slated for November would reposition the party and attract more members, including defectors from the ruling party. He stressed that the convention would send a strong signal that the PDP was ready to reclaim power.
On the issue of zoning, he explained that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had zoned the presidential ticket to the South and the national chairmanship to the North, but clarified that this did not prevent any aspirant from contesting.
Meanwhile, the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (GOH) Front 2027 urged the PDP leadership to revisit its decision on zoning. They argued that throwing the ticket open would give the party a stronger footing ahead of the 2027 polls.
The state coordinator of the group, Hon. Aliyu Mohammed (Achili), while submitting a letter of appeal to the Kaduna PDP chairman, said: “The content of the letter is the appeal to the NEC to revisit and reverse their decision on zoning the presidential ticket to the South. The position is that they should leave the ticket open. Each and every Nigerian party loyalist willing and capable should be allowed to contest.”
He explained that their position was based on the need to ensure fairness and widen the field of capable aspirants who can carry the PDP’s flag into the election.
Responding, Marshal assured the group that their request would be transmitted to the national leadership for consideration. He stressed that while the PDP would remain open to suggestions, it was also focused on strengthening its structures nationwide.
The Kaduna PDP chairman expressed confidence that with unity of purpose and proper mobilisation, the party would provide Nigerians with a credible alternative and rescue the country from what he described as “the failures of APC governance.”
