Politics

2027 Elections: APC Fires Back After PDP Labels Tinubu a “Bad Market”

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 22nd, 2025.

2027 Elections: APC Fires Back After PDP Labels Tinubu a “Bad Market”

APC and PDP

The political rivalry between Nigeria’s two dominant parties is heating up ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a strong swipe at President Bola Tinubu, branding his administration a failure and arguing that no patriotic citizen would support his re-election bid.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba emphasized that only the PDP has the national reach and capacity to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC). He dismissed concerns over defections, maintaining that the party remains resilient and grounded in its grassroots support.

“No serious Nigerian, no responsible political group, will back President Tinubu in 2027,” Ologunagba declared. “The country is grappling with worsening insecurity, economic decline, and general suffering. Tinubu represents a ‘bad market’ — people are tired and ready for change.”

He pointed to the recent low turnout in Lagos’ local elections as a clear indication of public disillusionment with the APC, even in what is traditionally considered Tinubu’s political stronghold. According to Ologunagba, just 6% of registered voters participated — a silent but powerful vote of no confidence.

Ologunagba also brushed off recent defections from the PDP to other parties, including the newly formed coalition under the African Democratic Congress, claiming that the core of the PDP remains intact. “Our members are staying. Those leaving are few, and the motivation is not ideological — it’s often driven by frustration with the current state of the country under APC rule.”

He also criticized the federal government, accusing it of being tone-deaf to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. “This is a government that tells people to fast while it feasts. Meanwhile, citizens are being attacked in the capital — a clear sign of how deeply insecurity has penetrated the country.”

Ologunagba praised the PDP’s internal structures, saying the party welcomes healthy debate and dissent without division. “We are building a more formidable PDP through unity — from our National Working Committee to the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, and National Assembly members.”

However, the APC responded swiftly and sharply. In a counterattack, APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim dismissed the PDP’s criticism as baseless, likening the opposition to a patient in intensive care trying to diagnose others.

“The PDP is politically comatose. It is in no shape to offer credible opinions, let alone assess the competence of a sitting president,” Ibrahim told The PUNCH. “Unlike the fractured PDP, the APC under President Tinubu is united and strong — the largest political party in Africa.”

He credited President Tinubu with restoring public confidence through key reforms and argued that millions of Nigerians still believe in his leadership. “Come 2027, Nigerians will stand by the president who’s pulling the country back on track. The PDP needs to fix its own internal crisis before pointing fingers.”

Ibrahim concluded by urging the PDP to focus on its own relevance and recovery before criticizing others. “A party that can’t manage its house today has no business commenting on national

leadership tomorrow.”