PDP Leader Blames APC for Problems in Opposition Parties, Promises Election Participation

Kabiru Turaki, the factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of causing divisions in major opposition parties.

Mr Turaki, who was a minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, said the leadership problems in the PDP and other opposition parties are linked to the ruling party.

He spoke on Thursday at a meeting with stakeholders organized by his faction's Interim National Working Committee in Abuja.

“Today, we are witnessing in Nigeria a time that is different from what we all are used to seeing. There is a lot of tension. There are a lot of crises. There are a lot of upheavals in the domain of most of the opposition political parties.

“It’s regrettable, indeed very sad and unfortunate, that when you begin to trace the genesis of those crises, they will take you back to the footsteps of the party in government,” he said.

Mr Turaki mentioned that those in government should promote peaceful competition instead of causing problems in opposition parties.

“We used to think that more than any other person, that people in government, people who are on the surgeon of leadership, should prefer peace to reign rather than crisis in their domain,” he added.

He expressed confidence that, despite its leadership problems, the PDP will survive and take part in the 2027 general elections.

“But for us in PDP, while other political parties are having existential threats, while their existence is threatened, while their lives are shaking, nobody, and I dare say, nobody can kill the PDP. PDP will continue to live. There may be challenges here and there regarding the leadership of our party. Again, for us in PDP, this is nothing new. We will overcome. We shall overcome. We are overcoming,” he said.

Mr Turaki's claims come as several opposition parties deal with ongoing leadership issues ahead of the 2027 general elections. The PDP remains split between factions over its national leadership, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is also facing internal disputes and disagreements over its leadership.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is likewise experiencing factional struggles and legal battles over control of the party. These internal crises have led some opposition leaders to accuse the ruling APC of taking advantage of the divisions to weaken their rivals ahead of the next election.

The APC has denied these claims, insisting that the problems within the opposition are self-created. Senior APC members, including the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, have stated that the ruling party is not involved in the internal matters of opposition parties, claiming that their leadership disputes come from internal disagreements.

Mr Turaki also reacted to the Federal High Court's ruling in Abuja last week that dismissed his faction's case to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize it and publish its candidates on the commission’s portal.

The case was filed by the PDP Board of Trustees led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara. The judge, Salim Ibrahim, ruled that the plaintiffs did not have the legal right to file the suit and dismissed it due to lack of merit.

In response to the ruling, Mr Turaki said leaders of his faction would review the decision in a private meeting before making an official statement.

He still insisted that the PDP would be on the ballot in the 2027 general elections. However, he did not specify which faction would present candidates, as INEC has recognized the rival faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

“But I want to say, without fear of contradiction, that PDP, your party, is on course. The essence of every political party is to legitimately capture power in a given polity. You cannot capture power unless you are on the ballot. I want to tell you that PDP shall be on the ballot for all rounds of the 2027 elections, from the presidential down to the state houses of assembly election. PDP, this PDP shall be on the ballot,” he assured.