Politics

PDP hasn’t lost relevance- Saraki

Published

6 months ago

March 27, 2026

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a formidable political force despite ongoing internal crises, Bukola Saraki,a former Senate President, has said.

The former Kwara State governor spoke on Thursday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he dismissed claims that the opposition party had lost relevance.

Responding to insinuations that the PDP is “dead and buried”, Saraki said such perceptions are largely driven by elite political disagreements rather than the reality at the grassroots.

“When you stay here in Abuja, you might say that because of the noise that comes out from the leaders having their disagreement. But when you go out to the states, and you go into the grassroots in different states, you’ll find that PDP is still very, very strong,” he said.

Using Kwara State as an example, the former governor explained that feedback from party stakeholders and grassroots members continues to reflect strong loyalty to the PDP.

“People still have this love and this affiliation for PDP… So yes, there is a lot of noise. But across the country, PDP is still a household name. Is it sellable? It is sellable, very sellable, not only in Kwara, but across the board,” he added.

On internal party matters, Saraki disclosed that although he initially opposed the PDP convention held in Ibadan, he later allowed delegates from Kwara State to participate after assurances that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be present to ensure legitimacy.

He, however, noted that the commission did not attend, stressing that the exercise ought to have been halted under such circumstances. Saraki maintained that his position was guided by principle and the need to uphold due process within the party.

The former Senate President also dismissed rumours suggesting he was considering defection to the All Progressives Congress or other political platforms, reaffirming his commitment to the PDP. He explained that his recent low profile was due to his decision not to contest in upcoming elections, rather than any loss of interest in party affairs.

Saraki further confirmed his intention to attend the party’s forthcoming national convention and urged members to do the same in a bid to strengthen internal cohesion.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he advocated for an inclusive and balanced approach to leadership selection within the party. According to him, the PDP presidential ticket should be zoned to the South, while the national chairman position should be allocated to the North-Central region to ensure equity.

He acknowledged that the party’s current challenges have set it back but expressed optimism that the crisis could ultimately strengthen its prospects if properly managed. Saraki also warned against the dangers of a one-party state, noting that a strong opposition remains vital to Nigeria’s democracy.

PDP’s Internal Crisis

Since the 2023 general elections, the PDP has faced internal challenges, leadership disputes, and the loss of key members.

The party has been dealing with leadership issues after the suspension of Iyorchia Ayu, with Umar Damagum serving as acting chairman. Some members want a permanent chair from the North-Central zone. There have also been disagreements between the National Working Committee (NWC) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) over party decisions.

The “G-5” group, led by Wike, continues to challenge the party. Wike’s acceptance of a ministerial role in the APC-led government while staying in the PDP has created internal tensions. Legal disputes over leadership in some states have also slowed the party’s activities.

PDP has also seen many members leave for the All Progressives Congress (APC), including governors and federal lawmakers.

Several governors, including Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), have left PDP to join APC.

In addition, over 66 federal lawmakers, 19 senators and 47 members of the House of Representatives have also defected since the start of the 10th National Assembly. Despite reconciliation attempts, departures have contributed to a loss of PDP strongholds in major states.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the PDP holds 2 governorships, the APC has 31, while the Labour Party, Accord Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance each hold 1 governorship.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a High Court in the FCT issued a bench warrant for Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, PDP factional chairman, after he failed to appear for arraignment on a charge of providing false information to the police in 2022.

Turaki has, however, appealed the warrant, describing it as unjust, and the case has been adjourned to April 22, 2026, for formal arraignment.

Related Topics:Bukola Saraki Features PDP

Up Next

ADC filled with discredited individuals with no hope in hell of moving this nation forward- Fani Kayode

Don't Miss

My legal team has appealed against bench warrant- Turaki

Click to comment

Politics

2027: APC Chieftain Alubarika predicts Tinubu lead in four zones

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alubarika, has projected that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the 2027 presidential election in four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi are expected to dominate the North-East and South-East respectively.

Alubarika made the projection in a post on his verified X handle, formerly Twitter, where he assessed the likely performance of the major contenders based on what he described as his political experience, grassroots engagement and understanding of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics.

According to his projection, Tinubu would secure 50 per cent of the vote in the North Central, compared with 25 per cent for Atiku, 20 per cent for Obi and five per cent for other candidates.

The North Central zone comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the North-East, however, Alubarika predicted an advantage for Atiku, giving the former vice president 50 per cent, against 40 per cent for Tinubu. Obi and other candidates were each projected to secure five per cent.

The North-East comprises Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.

In the North-West, Alubarika again placed Tinubu ahead with 50 per cent, followed by Atiku with 30 per cent, Obi with 15 per cent and other candidates with five per cent.

For the South-East, the APC chieftain predicted a strong showing for Obi, projecting him to win 50 per cent of the vote. Tinubu was placed at 35 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at five per cent.

Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to draw significant support from the region.

Alubarika also projected a 50 per cent share for Tinubu in the South-South, compared with 25 per cent for Obi, 20 per cent for Atiku and five per cent for other candidates.

The South-West recorded Tinubu’s highest projected performance, with Alubarika putting the incumbent president at 69 per cent. Obi was projected at 15 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at six per cent.

Explaining his assessment, Alubarika said he believed the projection was about 75 per cent accurate, while acknowledging that political dynamics could change considerably before the election.

“Politics is never an exact science, and a lot can change before 2027,” he said.

He urged Nigerians and political observers to keep his prediction and compare it with the actual results after the election.

“When the votes are counted and the dust settles, come back and give me my flowers,” he wrote.

The projection is not based on an opinion poll or official electoral data but represents Alubarika’s personal assessment of the likely voting pattern ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With the election still ahead, political alliances, party structures, candidate nominations, regional dynamics, economic conditions and other emerging issues could alter the current political calculations.

Politics

Timipre Sylva resigns from APC, accuses party of ‘floundering’

Published

2 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he can no longer identify with the party.

Sylva announced his decision in a letter dated August 31, 2026, in which he expressed concerns over the direction of the party and the conduct of its leadership.

The former governor accused the APC leadership of promoting the notion that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that the principle had contributed to practices he said were inconsistent with the values he expected from the party.

He also criticised the performance of the Federal Government, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as shortcomings under the APC-led administration.

Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said his continued association with the party was no longer tenable.

The former petroleum minister also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the letter, alleging that the anti-graft agency was increasingly being used as an instrument of the APC.

Sylva’s resignation comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with defections and realignments increasingly shaping the country’s political landscape.

His departure could have political implications in Bayelsa and the wider South-South region, where he remains a prominent figure in the APC and Nigerian politics.

The development is expected to trigger further reactions within the party as political actors continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

Politics

All North Central for Asiwaju inaugurates state coordinators

Published

3 weeks ago

August 21, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

All North Central For Asiwaju 2027, a fast growing support group for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to work assiduously to actualize the President’s victory in next year’s general election.

The group disclosed this during the inauguration of its state coordinators by the convener, Chief Ewie Aimienwauu.

The state coordinators inaugurated include Johnson Onoja (Benue) Isaiah Yusuf Mohammed (Kogi) Ibrahim Olayode (Kwara) Jibrin Yaheye Oka (Nassarawa) Panchin Jatau (Plateau) Istifanus Shekwonumwaza Philip (FCT) and Bala Ahmed (Niger).

Addressing the members, Chief Aimienwauu said the “All North Central For Asiwaju 2027 is an association of indigenes and non-indigenes citizens of Nigeria resident in the North Central States of (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja), from all works of life committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for a well -deserved second term at the 2027 general elections.

“We recognise the pivotal role of our Father and Leader of North Central, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to the successful re-election of the President and a resounding victory at the 2027 polls in the North Central region.”

Continuing, he said “we cannot overlook the persistent advent of insecurity in the region. Against this complex background our father and Leader has been able to maintain peace and stability in the region scoring high as the representative and eyes and ears of Mr. President. The region has enjoyed much more strategic appointments under this administration than any one before it. The region has started enjoying relative peace and defeat of insurgency and insecurity with the recent rescue of kidnap victims as a testament. The region has enjoyed more federal government infrastructure and policy dividends not to mention the availing of the Governors and Minister of FCT more allocation for the much-needed dividend of democracy.”

The convener said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had done extremely well for the North Central region so far and “is ready to do more when we return him for a second term in 2027. It is against this backdrop of visible tangible progress in the North Central region that we have come together to support our father and Leader of North Central region, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to ensure that he delivers President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in all the North Central States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“At the national level, the achievements and projects and policy advantages of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dots the landscape of Nigeria and has started showing up on the dinner plates of our great people. The President has the political will to transform Nigeria into the Eldorado we all have dreamed of and support for him is now. On your mandate we shall stand.”

Also speaking, the Plateau State Coordinator

Pancin Jatau Vrengle, said the inauguration was a significant and inspiring moment, marking a renewed commitment to supporting the vision and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The inauguration has further strengthened our resolve to work assiduously, strategically and collectively for the re-election of Mr. President in 2027. We are committed to mobilising Nigerians in the North Central Zone, communicating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, engaging stakeholders and promoting peaceful, issue-based political participation.

“We assure Mr. President and the leadership of our movement of our unwavering dedication, loyalty and readiness to contribute our time, resources and networks towards securing victory for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.Together, with unity, commitment and strategic mobilisation, we shall deliver a stronger mandate for Asiwaju.”

Speaking in the same vein, his Kogi State counterpart, Yusuf Isaiah, said: “We sincerely thank God Almighty and our Global/ National leaders particularly His Excellency Sen. George Akume (SGF), High Chief Ewie Aimenwauu, Hon. Marcellanous Njoku and AK Jasper. For giving us the opportunity to be part of this August assignment on ensuring that PBAT is re-elected as the President of Nigeria come 2027.

“We assure the Global/National body of our full commitment to this target.

The message is clear and it will be communicated to all the nook and cranny in Kogi State and North Central in general. By the virtue of our successful inauguration yesterday. It is our prayer that as we have kick-started this must- deliver assignment, the leaders should make available all the necessary resources to enable us to be efficient and effective on ground.”