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By Myke Agunwa
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reinstated its commitment to ensure that President Bola Tinubu is not re-elected in 2027, adding that the next election will not be determined by governors moving into the All Progressives Congress (APC) but through a referendum by Nigerians.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba reaffirmed the party’s positon during a Press Conference at the party’s National Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
He stated that the present administration has lost all the ingredients that makes governance thick which is majorly the security of lives and properties. He cited several security breaches in Borno, Plateau, Benue and other states noting that when the people are not secured, their welfare cannot be guaranteed.
He said, “We have witnessed a lot of issues, defection or no defection. We must emphasize 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”.
According to him, the Bola Tinubu administration deceived Nigerians when it announced that it has removed fuel subsidy and that the government will not borrow again as it will save enough resources to take care to social needs of the citizens. He lamented that just two years after, the same government announced plans to borrow additional $24.5 billion loan to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
“Only last week, the president 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 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’. So the question is, where is the money if indeed, you’re going to borrow money to not cushion the effect of 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.
“We have stated severally the need for a review of policy by a government, what the people are saying, you take a second look. 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; they are dying by installment. That life is coming into a halt and the president and his team and his government, they are numb to that. In the last two years, over 600 Nigerians have been killed it’s on record.
“One thing is clear and Nigerians should recognize that, we’re not in opposition to just criticize. It is better for this country to 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 that all of us can have what we call the pursuit of happiness” Ologunagba said.
The PDP Spokesperson said that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that held last week was very successful despite the predictions of naysayers that thought the party will go into oblivion. He said that the party was able to organize a successful NEC because it explored its internal conflict resolution mechanism.
“The 99th National Executive Committee meeting of our party, was duly convened on 27th of May, 2025. Prior to that, there’s so many activities relating to that meeting, and there were naysayers, so it would not hold, it would hold, but ultimately, it held.
“We had challenges, no doubt but the successful convening of the meeting and the fact that the atmosphere at the meeting, came out to show the capacity of this party to come together and be unified”.
He stressed that the two committees approved by NEC to organize the national convention and zoning of party offices are on course and the party is working to populate the membership of both committees from different organs of the party to ensure that everyone is carried along.