From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that defections of opposition politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not secure victory for the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba stated this at an interactive session with journalists at the Wadata Plaza, yesterday, in Abuja.
He said the 2027 polls would be a referendum on the performance of the APC since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
In recent time, several members of the PDP, including the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevberi and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as well as other leaders of the opposition in the state and other parts of the country, have defected to the APC.
Regardless, the PDP spokesman said it is worrisome that while Nigerians are groaning under hardship allegedly caused by the APC administration and the rising insecurity in the country, the government and the ruling party are celebrating defections of the opposition members.
According to him, “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. What the people are saying is that 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 that they are dying by instalment. That life is coming into a halt and the president, his team, and his government, are numb to that. In the last two years, over 600 Nigerians have been killed; it’s on record.
“Then you see this government celebrating defection as if it is celebrating a successful implementation of policies. So, it is a government that believes in propaganda. Propaganda does not replace hunger.”
Furthermore, Ologunagba stated that despite the government’s claim that the removal of fuel subsidy was to free more money for development, the President Tinubu administration is still obtaining more foreign loans.
He 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.
“You could talk about money, about devaluation, that renders whatever you are earning, and takes you below the poverty line. Today, by world record, or by world reports, over 100 million Nigerians survive on $2 a day.
“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 are 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 so that we will not borrow anymore. We are going to remove subsidies on petrol, and therefore, there will be more money to provide cushioning policies and programmes, to take away the pain of the subsidy. So, the question is, where is the money?
“Many people have died on account of the irresponsibility of this government, because of their impoverishment and that’s why we are here. So, they said that part of that money will be used to take care of pensioners. Pension is a contributory scheme. So, where’s the money?”
He added that though President Tinubu through his public comments has allegedly indicated his preference for a one party state, the PDP during its last National Executive Committee ( NEC) has demonstrated its commitment to ensure that Nigerians have an alternative platform.
He stated that in the aftermath of its last NEC meeting, PDP leaders are closing ranks to ensure the sustenance of democracy in the country.
“Nigerians need democracy and they will continue to look up to PDP because of its history, its resilience, its organs and its constitution, where nobody owns the party.
“So, our party is stable. We are united. We are stronger after the NEC, coming together as a people, not just for the PDP, but for the sustenance of democracy, and to ensure that democracy actually thrives in this country,” the PDP spokesman said.