PDP to APC: Defection won’t decide 2027 election
*Accuses NASS of shirking in its responsibility
By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the gale of defection of politicians in the country from other parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, will not, in any way, decide the outcome of the 2027 general election.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said this on Wednesday during an interaction session in Abuja.
The leading opposition party pointed out that the 2027 election is going to be a referendum on the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the insecurity in the land, the lack of provision of amenities, and basic things for human existence.
Hon Ologunagba, a lawyer and former member of the House of Representatives, said, “we have witnessed a lot of issues, from defection or no defection. We must emphasize that the election of 2027 is not going to be about defection.
” It’s going to be a referendum on the failure of the APC, the insecurity in the land, the lack of provision of amenities, and basic things for human existence, the fact that everyday Nigerians are losing their personality because of the misguided policies of the president”, he said
The party thumbed down President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over it’s anti-people’s policies, stressing that there is need for PDP to come together and unite for a common goal.
According to Ologunagba, “We have stated severally the need for a review of policy by a government, what the people are saying, you take a second look. When you do that, that is leadership, that is strength not weakness.
“But the APC believes that when they make a decision, you either take it or leave it.
“People are complaining that they are dying by installment. That life is coming into a halt and the President and his team, and his government, they are numb to that.
“In the last two years, over 600 Nigerians have been killed, its on record.
“Then you see this government, celebrating defection as if it’s celebrating a successful implementation of policies.
“So it’s a government that believes in propaganda. Propaganda does not replace hunger. Propaganda does not replace commitment of the people and believing in their God.
“The question that every Nigerian is asking today is: am I better two years ago than I am right now? The answer is obvious, and we are all in the same market.
“You could talk about money, about devaluation, that renders whatever you are earning, and taking you below the poverty line. Today, by world record, or by world reports, over 100 million Nigerians survive on $2 a day.
“That’s why it is important for our party to come together, which we are doing. We’re having conversations at different levels, and that the next outcome is a demonstration of the success of those actions behind the scene.
“So we just want to let you know that we’re on course, working assiduously towards a successful national executive, national working committee, and the national convention that will produce a new working committee for the party. “And we’re determined to galvanize Nigeria on the need to sustain this democracy. So that’s the conversation, and then alternative views and ideas can be put on the table for Nigerian people to determine”, he said.
Commenting on the President’s request to borrow about $24.5 billion, the party demanded to know what the government wants to use the money for.
According to the PDP, “what they (the government) said that is actually very annoying was that they’re going to use that money to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
“We were here when they said to us, we’re going remove subsidies, therefore, we will not borrow anymore, we’re not going to put subsidy on petrol, and therefore, there’ll be more money to provide cushioning policies and programs, to take away the pain of the subsidy.
“Now, so the question is, where is the money? If indeed, you’re going to borrow money to cushion the effect of subsidy, two years after.”
“Many people have died on account of the irresponsibility of this government, because of their impoverishment and that’s why we’re here.
“So they said that part of that money will be used to take care of pensioners. Pension is a contributory scheme. So where’s the money?
“The National Assembly should interrogate, which they’re not doing, of course, they have declared that whatever the president says, is okay by them, and we have seen it. These are the thing that Nigerians are going to challenge in 2027.
“One thing is clear, and Nigerians should recognize that, we’re not in opposition to just criticize. It is better for this country to do well, so that all of us can benefit from it.
“It is not in our interest that the government fails, but the government must be ready to listen to alternative views that could help us build a country that all of us can have what we call the pursuit of happiness”, Ologunagba declared.
