PDP Elders Raise Alarm Over Party Decline, Urge Formation of New Opposition Coalition
PDP Elders Raise Alarm Over Party Decline, Urge Formation of New Opposition Coalition
By Diran King
Abuja, July 2, 2025 — A coalition of senior members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the banner of “Concerned Leaders of the PDP,” has sounded the alarm over what they described as the “deteriorating state” of Nigeria’s foremost opposition party and the country’s declining democratic values under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a communiqué issued after a closed-door meeting held on Tuesday, July 1, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the PDP elders condemned both the internal crisis plaguing the party and what they termed the APC’s “irresponsible use of state institutions to stifle democracy.”
“Since our loss in the last presidential election and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, our dear party has never been the same again,” the statement read. “The PDP is now a chaotic and undisciplined institution, far from the vision of its founding fathers.”
Participants at the high-level gathering included former governors, ex-ministers, former National Assembly members, and key political influencers. The meeting, which focused on rescuing the PDP from what they called “implosion,” also addressed broader national issues such as economic hardship, insecurity, governance failures, and corruption under the current APC administration.
“The APC, which came into power on the back of propaganda, has now become a national disaster,” the communiqué stated. “Every index of development has collapsed, and life in Nigeria is now hellish.”
The leaders lamented the erosion of Nigeria’s global standing, blaming the country’s “diminished influence” on a failure of leadership at both the party and national levels. They expressed particular concern over the exodus of elected PDP officeholders to the ruling APC, which they attributed to “a toxic mix of blackmail, coercion, and patronage.”
As a way forward, the meeting resolved to support the formation of a broad opposition coalition to restore democratic order and challenge the APC in future elections. They issued an open call to “all well-meaning PDP members and patriotic Nigerians” to join the emerging alliance.
“This coalition is not just about politics; it is a rescue mission. The game is on, and Nigeria cannot afford another four years of misrule,” the communiqué concluded.
While no specific names were mentioned as leaders of the initiative, sources close to the meeting confirmed that discussions are ongoing with other opposition parties and civil society groups to build a formidable front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development is seen by political observers as a potential turning point for Nigeria’s opposition landscape, signaling renewed momentum for a unified alternative to the ruling party. Whether the effort will galvanize widespread support remains to be seen, but for now, the message from the PDP elders is clear: “The game is on.”
PDP Elders Raise Alarm Over Party Decline, Urge Formation of New Opposition Coalition