The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain, Emma Ogidi, says opposition parties must unite to defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News, Ogidi said consultations among opposition groups had shown that no single opposition party currently has the capacity to successfully challenge the APC.
“We all realized, we all realized that there’s no one party today that has the capacity to fight the APC. It’s a fact.”
Ogidi said the PDP’s decision to join the opposition coalition was based on the need to build a stronger political platform capable of removing the APC from power.
“So, we realized that PDP cannot do it alone. So, we decided that we should join forces with others to take this government from power, because PDP is Nigeria.”
He acknowledged that bringing the various opposition parties together would not be easy, particularly with limited time before the 2027 elections, but said political leaders must be willing to make sacrifices for the country.
“We know it’s not going to be easy, but for any person who loves Nigeria, then you must make that sacrifice.”
Ogidi expressed confidence that the coalition could successfully unite, arguing that the APC secured victory in 2023 with only a portion of the total votes cast.
“APC, what did APC use to win to come into power? Just 30%. So, in other words, we are 70% outside, working together.”
He also urged Nigerians, including members of the APC, to support the opposition movement, warning that the country was facing serious challenges.
“But we are calling on all Nigerians, even those in APC, you need to join this movement, because that’s the only way you can save Nigeria, because Nigeria is at the brink of collapse.”
On concerns over the internal crisis within the PDP and other opposition parties, Ogidi blamed the APC for allegedly destabilising opposition parties but maintained that the PDP remained resilient.
“APC in the last several months, going to a year, has been busy destabilizing all parties today.”
He insisted that the PDP could not easily be destroyed despite its internal challenges.
“You think you have destroyed PDP. It’s not easy to destroy PDP, because the more you destroy, the more we grow.”
Ogidi further emphasized the importance of a strong opposition in a democracy, arguing that political competition was necessary for effective governance.
“In fact, it’s difficult to destroy opposition unless you want to have a banana republic. And Nigeria is too big for that.”
On differences among coalition partners over key policy issues, particularly the removal or reinstatement of fuel subsidy, Ogidi said the focus should be on ensuring that Nigerians benefit from any savings generated.
“We are not discussing whether you remove subsidy or you bring back subsidy. If you remove subsidy, you must ensure the use of the savings.”
He said the opposition groups were still consulting and would need to make compromises to build a credible platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The only way to succeed actually, that we must be sincere, and we must also make sacrifice.”
Ogidi said he remained personally committed to removing the APC from power and giving Nigerians what he described as the government they need.
Ojo Triumph
Follow us on:
