2027: APC writes off PDP, opposition vows victory

The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday exchanged words over their prospects in the 2027 general elections.

While APC described PDP as irrelevant and divided, the opposition party insisted that it remained a viable platform capable of defeating the APC.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the PDP stood no chance of winning the 2027 election regardless of which of its factions is eventually recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The PDP has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis, which was resolved on April 30 in favour of the National Working Committee led by the National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed and the Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

However, the faction led by a former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, has continued to challenge the party’s leadership.

Commenting on the situation, Ibrahim said the PDP was deeply divided and would not pose any meaningful challenge to the APC in the next general election.

According to him, the party had become so factionalised that it was difficult to identify a single, united PDP.

He said whichever faction is eventually recognised by INEC and appears on the ballot would be “dead on arrival” and incapable of making any significant impact in the 2027 election.

Ibrahim maintained that the PDP remained irrelevant and had no realistic chance of winning the next election.

““There is no party in the real sense. What we have are factions of the party. I do not know which faction will eventually participate in the election, but whichever one is recognised by INEC and makes it onto the ballot will be dead on arrival.

“It will not be able to make any meaningful impact in the 2027 election. The party remains irrelevant and stands no chance of winning the next election,” he stated.

Responding, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described Ibrahim’s comments as evidence that the APC was already apprehensive about the opposition party’s prospects.

He argued that the ruling party had little to show Nigerians that would justify another mandate and expressed confidence that voters would reject the APC in the next election.

Mohammed said the PDP was focused on rebuilding public confidence and positioning itself as a credible alternative ahead of 2027 rather than engaging in a media confrontation with the APC.

He also claimed that developments within the APC indicated internal challenges that could affect the ruling party before the next election.

“Ours is to continue to strategize, to work, and try to build the confidence of Nigerians to see reasons why PDP remains the alternative and viable party come 2027. When you see the kind of exercise they (APC) call primary elections, that tells you that the APC implosion is imminent and is just around the corner. And we will capitalize on that and triumph over the ruling party,” Mohammed said.

The PDP spokesman further stated that the opposition party’s ability to survive its internal crisis demonstrated its resilience and strength.

According to him, despite its challenges, the PDP has emerged stronger, remains on course to be on the ballot in 2027, and is determined to reclaim power from the APC.

He added, “No political party can undergo what we have passed through and survive. The survival is an indication that the PDP remains an Iroko tree. And having passed through all of this and come out stronger and firm. And we will be on the ballot is an indication that we will surely have what it takes to take over power from the APC.”