The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the 2027 general elections will not be a traditional political contest between parties, but rather a direct referendum on the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current living conditions of Nigerians.
PDP Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, made the remarks on Thursday while presenting the Certificate of Return to Ezenwafor Jude, the party’s candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election.
“This election in 2027 is not about how many governors you have or how many leaders. It’s about Tinubu and Nigerians,” Damagum stated. “The ordinary man is feeling the pain, and the decision is his. So I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that it is their election. It is APC versus Nigerians.”
He emphasized that the struggle ahead transcends party politics, urging Nigerians to rise above affiliations and unite in the face of economic hardship. “It’s not APC versus any governor or senator or anything, but APC versus Nigerians,” he added. “Let us close ranks and rescue ourselves from this hardship that is inflicted on us by design, not coincidence.”
Damagum also addressed the recent high-profile defections from the PDP in Delta State. On Wednesday, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire Delta State cabinet officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP Chairman expressed disappointment over the development, describing it as a betrayal given the support the party has historically extended to Delta State.
“It’s very sad and unfortunate. If there’s any state that shouldn’t take such a step, it’s Delta. The PDP has been exceptionally magnanimous to them,” he said. “From the emergence of the current governor to his predecessor, who also served as our vice presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, the party has given them everything. We never expected this.”
Despite the setback, Damagum assured party faithful that the PDP remains strong and resilient. “This is a party that has seen more than that, but it’s still standing,” he concluded.
