PDP Rallies Nigerians to Resist One-Party Rule, Prepares for Defining August Convention in Kano

 

Amid mounting political tension and growing discontent over economic challenges, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a fervent appeal to Nigerians to rise against what it describes as a dangerous slide toward a one-party dictatorship under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

As preparations intensify for the PDP's much-anticipated National Convention scheduled for August 2025 in Kano, the party declared its readiness to reassert itself as a strong, democratic alternative to what it labelled the APC’s “failed and authoritarian” administration.

In a strongly worded statement released Tuesday, the PDP painted a grim picture of the country’s current political and economic climate under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. It accused the ruling party of orchestrating a systematic dismantling of opposition voices, employing tactics of intimidation, infiltration, and institutional suppression to weaken the country’s democratic foundations.

The PDP emphasized that its upcoming convention is not merely a procedural political gathering, but a strategic turning point that will determine the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the party, the convention will be rooted in the principles of transparency, merit-based leadership selection, and inclusivity—values it claims are now alien to the ruling APC.

"August 2025 will mark a decisive moment," the party's statement read. "It will be the rebirth of a PDP that is fully equipped to lead Nigeria out of the quagmire of poverty, insecurity, and despair. This is a call to all patriotic Nigerians who believe in democracy and the rule of law.”

Rather than standing by passively, the party urged Nigerians across all divides to become actively involved in resisting what it described as the APC’s "sinister agenda" to transform Nigeria into a one-party state. According to the PDP, this would mark the end of democratic engagement and silence the voice of the people.

The party criticized the Tinubu-led administration for allegedly inflicting "unprecedented hardship" on Nigerians through poorly conceived economic policies. It cited rising levels of poverty, worsening insecurity, and frequent reports of violent killings as evidence of systemic failure.

Furthermore, the PDP accused the APC of deploying covert strategies aimed at destabilizing opposition parties, including the sponsorship of internal crises and the manipulation of security agencies to harass dissenting voices. These actions, the PDP argues, reflect a deep-seated fear of electoral defeat and an unwillingness to compete fairly in the democratic arena.

“The Nigerian people must not allow their voices to be drowned out,” the statement warned. “The Tinubu administration fears accountability and is now resorting to tactics reminiscent of totalitarian regimes—intimidation, crisis engineering, and the erosion of institutional independence.”

The PDP promised that the August convention would prioritize the emergence of credible leaders capable of uniting the country and restoring public trust in governance. It highlighted the need for individuals who embody the ideals of justice, equity, and good governance—qualities the party believes are necessary to rescue Nigeria from what it calls “the APC’s destructive grip.”

The call to action extended beyond the party’s immediate membership. The PDP reached out to civil society organizations, youth groups, labour unions, and other key stakeholders to close ranks and resist what it views as a coordinated assault on democratic values.

“The journey toward 2027 begins now,” the statement concluded. “This is more than a political contest. It is a fight for Nigeria’s soul, a struggle to protect the future of every citizen. We invite all who cherish liberty, equity, and justice to stand with us. Together, we can defeat the APC’s authoritarian agenda and return Nigeria to the path of progress, stability, and inclusive development.”

Political observers view the upcoming convention as a major test of the PDP’s capacity to rebrand and reposition itself ahead of the next election cycle. While the party remains Nigeria’s primary opposition force, internal divisions and a history of inconsistent messaging have often undermined its effectiveness. Nonetheless, the statement appears to signal a renewed resolve within the party’s ranks to regain political momentum and capitalize on rising public frustration.

With just two years left until Nigerians return to the polls, the battle lines are already being drawn—and the PDP is making it clear that it intends to challenge the ruling party not just at the ballot box, but in the court of public opinion as well.