By Sandra Ugwu | AnchorNews Media | 12th October, 2025

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed not to surrender to what it describes as deliberate attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party said recent defections by some of its members were politically motivated and aimed at turning Nigeria into a one-party state.

Speaking in Abuja, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said no amount of pressure or intimidation would silence the party or derail its mission to protect Nigeria’s democracy. He insisted that the opposition remains strong despite the turbulence created by rumours of defection involving key figures such as Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu and Douye Diri of Bayelsa, both of whom have yet to confirm the speculation.

Ologunagba described the ongoing political movements as distractions, alleging that many of the defections were driven by coercion and inducements rather than genuine conviction. He maintained that the PDP has endured similar storms in the past and always emerged stronger because it remains rooted in the people.

At the party’s Legacy House in Abuja, activities have intensified as members of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) meet to strategise on rebuilding public trust and preparing for 2027. According to Ologunagba, the PDP is working on a new roadmap that will focus on integrity, performance, and service delivery rather than personal ambition or political deals.

“Nigerians have not defected from hunger, insecurity, or hardship,” he said. “They still seek hope, and the PDP remains that hope.” He added that those leaving the party for convenience were never truly committed to its ideals, describing the moment as a test of loyalty and character.

In Enugu and Bayelsa, the ripple effects of the reported defections are being felt, but local leaders remain optimistic about rebuilding the party’s base. Aides to Governor Diri have dismissed rumours of his defection as mere political fiction, even as grassroots members call for unity and renewed commitment.

Ologunagba’s steady tone and resolve have become a rallying point for loyal members who see the current crisis as a defining test of the PDP’s identity. He emphasised that the 2027 general election will be about more than power—it will be a battle for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

“You cannot destroy a party that belongs to the people,” he said. “The PDP is not about individuals; it represents an idea, the idea of Nigeria itself.”

Despite its challenges, the PDP maintains that it will continue to play its role as a democratic watchdog and alternative voice. Ologunagba reminded Nigerians that even in the past, when presidents and vice-presidents left the party, the PDP endured.

In his words, “The 2027 election will not just decide who governs; it will determine whether Nigeria remains a democracy or slips into a one-party state.”

For the PDP, resilience has become both strategy and identity. Each defection may bruise the party, but its leaders insist it will not break. As the political temperature rises toward 2027, the PDP’s defiant posture suggests it intends to fight not only for power but for the preservation of Nigeria’s democratic pluralism.

AnchorNews