The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the planned defection of the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of deploying intimidation, harassment and coercion in wooing its governors and legislators.
Reacting to the defection, planned for Tuesday next week, and the rumored defection of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said the APC is not only using intimidation and harassment but also inducing its members with money.
He, however, warned that no amount of defection will determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, adding that Nigerians, who are feeling the heat of the current policies, are not defecting to any party.
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He also noted that the PDP is not worried about the defections hitting the party as they are, according to the party, induced by coercion, intimidation and harassment.
“We have it now that there have been rumors of the fact that members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are being induced to decamp. But, for emphasis, the election of 2027 and many after that, is not going to be on the basis of decamping.”
The PDP Spokesman noted that the key issues Nigerians are concerned about are the rampant insecurity and economic hardship that have made life brutish, and these will be the deciding factors in the upcoming elections.
He argued that the present administration is not “responsive and responsible to the Nigerian people. the government and the leaders in that government look down on Nigerian people and said we’re too small. It is about people who would see their kids go to bed without dinner. It is about people who go to the hospital who cannot pay their bills. It is not about decamping or many people decamping.”
The PDP emphasized that “Nigerians aren’t ‘decamping from hunger’ to another party, and if they’re seeking relief, they’ll find a home in the PDP, which stands for prosperity and hope.
“Not just because we’re saying it, it’s not sloganeering, we’re not just saying slogan. It is based on our track record of performance.”
He further added that the APC is jittery over the PDP’s planned national convention, slated for November.
“So, they’re jittery knowing fully well that the only way they can come around and have some conversation is if they have a PDP that is not together, but too bad for them. We’re together.”
While acknowledging that no party would be happy to lose its members, he argued that the strength of their party didn’t lie on individual or groups alone.
“It is not in the individual or group of individuals. It is based on the strength of the people who have a connection with us. I mean the People’s Democratic Party. The name is instructive. People’s Democratic Party. The other one is called All Progressives Congress. Congress take care of their own. People take care of the people. And that is symbolic about the name. And in 2027, these APC people we see today, we shall see them no more.”
Also addressing journalists, Deputy Governor of Oyo State and Chairman of the Venue sub-committee of the PDP National Convention, Dr Adebayo Lawal, said members were ready make the Ibadan convention a success.
He expressed optimism that after the November convention, the PDP will emerge more united and formidable, setting the stage for victory at the Presidential and governorship elections in 2027.
