The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Nigerians to resist any move towards a one-party system, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to silence opposition and undermine democracy. In a statement issued ahead of its upcoming National Convention set for August 2025 in Kano, the PDP said the event would be a turning point to elect new national leaders, strengthen the party’s internal structure, and prepare to challenge the APC in the 2027 general elections.

The party stressed that this convention would focus on electing capable leaders through a process rooted in merit, transparency, and fairness. It said this was necessary to confront what it described as the APC’s mismanagement of the country. The PDP accused the APC of using threats, intimidation, and interference in opposition parties to weaken Nigeria’s democratic system. It also blamed the ruling party for worsening economic conditions, growing poverty, and rising insecurity, calling the situation “unprecedented hardship” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The opposition party urged Nigerians not to allow democracy to be replaced with authoritarian control. It encouraged citizens to unite behind the PDP and support efforts to bring back true democratic governance in the country. According to the statement, the Kano convention will help reawaken the PDP and prepare it to lead a renewed fight for a better Nigeria where all citizens can live in peace and prosperity.

The party concluded by calling on its members, stakeholders, and every patriotic Nigerian to stand firm, support the party’s mission, and help build a stronger front against what it described as the APC’s anti-people policies. “Together, we can stop the APC’s plans and return Nigeria to a path of progress, safety, and economic stability,” the PDP said.

President Bola Tinubu has made it clear he’s open to having the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, join the All Progressives Congress (APC) if he decides to officially leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

During the commissioning of Arterial Road N16 in the Katampe area of Abuja, Tinubu praised Wike for his work as FCT Minister, despite still being a PDP member. He then jokingly referenced one of Wike’s most popular campaign catchphrases, saying, “Wike is not a member of my party—at least not yet. But if he ever makes that decision and joins the progressives, we’ll welcome him warmly. We’ll even enjoy singing ‘as e dey pain dem, e dey sweet us.’” His comments drew loud laughter from the audience, including Wike himself.

Although Wike has not officially left the PDP, his loyalty has long been questioned within the party. After falling out with the PDP leadership during the 2023 presidential primaries, Wike refused to support the party’s flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, and instead backed Tinubu’s campaign—a move that caused serious internal rifts.

Tinubu rewarded Wike’s political support with the appointment as FCT Minister in August 2023, and since then, Wike hasn’t hidden where his loyalty lies.

In fact, he recently said he would personally lead Tinubu’s 2027 re-election efforts in Rivers State. “I am a major political asset. I will take charge of President Tinubu’s campaign in Rivers,” Wike boldly stated during a media chat.

His actions have continued to stir division within the PDP, with growing calls for his expulsion from the party. However, Wike still commands a strong base of support among some PDP members, making any move against him tricky for the party.

Earlier this week, Wike took another swipe at the PDP, echoing a demand by some stakeholders that the party must zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South to maintain a sense of fairness and balance. He also pointed out that, by the PDP’s constitution, only the National Secretary—currently Senator Samuel Anyanwu—is empowered to call a valid party meeting, hinting at disputes over how the party is being run.

The crisis within the Labour Party has taken another turn as Julius Abure, the factional National Chairman, has cautioned the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against what he described as attempts to blackmail the party.

This caution came through a statement released by the faction’s National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, following an interview Obi granted Arise TV on Monday. In the interview, Obi reportedly claimed that the ruling APC had infiltrated the Labour Party’s leadership and was fueling internal conflict.

Reacting to the interview, Abure’s camp dismissed the allegations, stating that the troubles rocking the party were not caused by any external interference from the APC but were rather the result of internal actions taken by Obi and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti. The faction emphasized that Governor Otti, currently under suspension for anti-party behavior, and Obi played key roles in triggering the issues now affecting the party.

They went further to challenge Obi to present any solid proof—tangible or not—that links the Abure-led leadership to any collaboration with the APC. They also addressed Obi’s claim that Abure referred to Otti as a “dwarf,” describing the accusation as an attempt to distract from more pressing matters.

While the group said they didn’t wish to publicly drag Obi, they criticized what they see as his consistent misrepresentation of the situation, urging him to stop misleading Nigerians. They noted that like many political parties, Labour Party is facing internal challenges, but insisted Obi must take responsibility for his part in it.

The statement stressed that the party had several chances in 2023 to form alliances but chose to stick by Obi and Otti—before, during, and even after the elections. Now, they believe it’s time for Obi to accept responsibility for his own shortcomings. “Leaders aren’t perfect, but when they make mistakes, they should own them,” the statement read. “Peter Obi failed in providing the leadership the party needed. Instead of pointing fingers, he should take accountability.”