The Peoples Democratic Party has labeled President Bola Tinubu as a poor choice for Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Monday asserted that the party is the only one with the capacity to defeat President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.

He stated, “The PDP is the only party that can unseat the APC. We have the support, the base, and a national spread.

“There is no community without PDP members, because it is truly the people’s party. Nigerians are eager for the PDP’s return.

“With the APC’s numerous failures, I can confidently say that no patriotic Nigerian, group, or political party will support Tinubu in 2027.

“It is clear that President Bola Tinubu is a bad market. So, no one whether individual or group who is experiencing what we’re all going through will vote for Tinubu.

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“President Tinubu, as they say in the local parlance, is a bad market, don’t touch it.

“So come 2027, no one, individual, group, or party,who is feeling what you and I feel, who is seeing the insecurity, the collapsed economy, and the general hardship, will vote for Tinubu.”

Addressing the recent defection of some of its members to the APC and the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress, Ologunagba stated that, “Our party is organic and formidable. It is important to make it clear that the people who make up the party are not defecting.

“They are not defecting because of hunger or insecurity.

“The people who form the bulk of our party, as well as Nigerians who are apolitical, look up to the PDP. So, they are not defecting.

“They are not leaving because of hunger or insecurity. Just two days ago, our Anambra State candidate was attacked here in Abuja.

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“This highlights the level of insecurity in the country under this rudderless and irresponsible APC government, which is completely insensitive.

“This is a government that asks people to fast while it feasts.

“So, the people the backbone of our party and even Nigerians who are apolitical, still look up to the PDP.”

Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP remains solid despite the noise surrounding defections, stressing that the true strength of the party lies in the loyalty of its members.

He further stated that all organs of the party including the Board of Trustees, the Governors’ Forum, the National Working Committee, National Assembly members, and other party structures are collaborating closely to build a more formidable party capable of delivering new leadership and renewed hope to Nigerians.

Commenting on the Lagos State Local Government elections held on July 12, Ologunagba urged Nigerians to see past the excitement, propaganda, and noise, stating that if the APC truly had the strength it claims, the results of the elections in Lagos would have told a different story.

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He continued, “One of their own leaders admitted that the people didn’t vote for them. That was in Lagos, Tinubu’s stronghold.

“This silent vote of no confidence speaks volumes. Only 6% of registered voters participated.

“This shows APC has been rejected. In 2027, it will not be about writing results; it will be about the people speaking out with their votes, and they will vote the APC out.”

Ologunagba stated that the PDP stands apart from the APC and other political parties because it embraces differing opinions without hostility or division.

He stated, “This is why the PDP is different. We have strong organs and institutions.

“We welcome debate and contestation of ideas. We accept disagreement without being disagreeable.

“That is how we keep recalibrating, reconnecting with the people just as our name says: Peoples Democratic Party.”

The two candidates who will represent the Peoples Democratic Party in the August 16 National Assembly bye-election emerged on Monday.

‎Joe Okojie will fly the party’s flag in the Edo Central Senatorial election, while Johnny Aikpitanyi will battle for the Ovia Federal Constituency seat.

Okogie emerged as the winner of the PDP Primary election, which was held in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area of the State.
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He clinched the ticket after scoring 84 votes ahead of his close rivals, Hon. John Yakubu, who secured 52 votes and Friday Itulah, who got 21 votes.

READ ALSO:He’s Always Leaving, Wike’s Aide Mocks Atiku Over PDP Exit

It was gathered that ‎157 out of the 158 ward and national delegates took part in the primary election, with no void votes recorded.
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‎Addressing journalists after the election, Okojie expressed appreciation to the delegates and other aspirants who took part in the election, noting that he will work with leaders and members of the party in ensuring the PDP emerges victorious in the by-election.

‎Aikpitanyi, who was the only aspirant for the Ovia Federal Constituency seat, was confirmed as the party’s candidate by the delegates who took part in the primary election held in Iguobazuwa, Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
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In his appreciation to PDP leaders, delegates, and supporters, Aikpitanyi noted, “Emerging as your candidate is not just an honour, it is a solemn responsibility I embrace with every sense of duty, humility, and commitment.

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” I recognise the faith you have placed in me, and I do not take it for granted.

“Let us now come together, stronger than ever, to win the by-election and build the Ovia of our dreams. Victory is not for one individual but for all of us who believe in justice, progress, and prosperity.”

The Senate seat was vacated by the incumbent governor, Monday Okpebholo, after he won the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

Also, the Ovia Federal Constituency seat was vacated by the deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, after the electoral victory.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo’s remarks on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has stirred controversy and reactions.

Recall that Okpebholo had last week Friday at a rally warned Obi to obtain security clearance before visiting Edo State.

The statement by the governor has been described by critics as a direct threat to Obi’s life and a dangerous precedent for democracy.

Reacting to the statement, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), urged Obi to take legal action over what he termed an “illegal threat.”

Earlier on Sunday, Falana had asked Okpebholo to withdraw the threats to the life of Obi.

READ ALSO:After Media Reports Of Locking Out Supporters From Govt House, Okpebholo Hits Security Personnel

In a statement, the senior lawyer noted that the threat to the life of Obi issued by the “new sheriff in town” in Edo State constituted a violation of Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples (Ratification and Enforcement), which guarantee the fundamental right of every citizen to life.

“However, if Governor Okpebholo does not withdraw the illegal threat because of sheer arrogance of raw power, Mr Peter Obi should proceed to file an application in the Benin Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to secure the enforcement of his fundamental right to life.

“Mr Obi should act with utmost urgency in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extrajudicial killings in the country,” the statement added.

On their part, the African Democratic Congress and the Obidient Movement, accused Okpebholo of intimidation and spreading falsehoods.

The ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, speaking with journalists, warned that such threats were becoming a troubling trend among APC governors.

READ ALSO:‘His Security Is Not Guaranteed,’ Okpehbolo Warns Obi Not To Come To Edo Without Informing Him

He stressed that the party was informing both Nigerians and the international community about the situation, against the right to move freely across all states by every Nigerian.

“The African Democratic Congress condemns the restriction order issued on Peter Obi.

“This is not the first time. It is becoming a pattern for APC governors to make the kind of pronouncements credited to Governor Okpebholo, declaring that Mr Obi or opposition leaders are not welcome in their state.

“This is not democratic, and it’s a very dangerous pattern. Nigeria is a free country, and every citizen of Nigeria has the right to go anywhere in this country.

“We don’t need a visa in our country. We don’t need anybody’s permission to go to any part of our country.

READ ALSO:Why Peter Obi Must Get Security Clearance Before Coming To Edo — APC Chair, Tenebe

“This also speaks to an authoritarian instinct among some of these governors of the APC, and we believe that this can only get worse if it’s not nipped in the bud,” he added.

Abdullahi said, having failed to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, the strategy is to begin to intimidate and issue threats and warnings not to come to their states.

“This is unacceptable. We will go anywhere in Nigeria that we want because Nigeria is a free country,” he said.

The Edo State government has, however, insisted that the governor’s comments at a rally on Friday were misinterpreted, stressing that his call was a security protocol and not hostility toward the opposition leader.