The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has declared that Nigeria will never become a one-party state, despite the ongoing wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several governors, senators, and lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP and other parties have in recent months defected to the APC.
Notable among them are Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa), who recently joined the growing list of political figures crossing over to the ruling party. Similarly, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno formally left the PDP for the APC in June, while Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and several other PDP members in Delta have also switched allegiance.
Reacting to the development, the PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr. Hakeem Olalemi, said the opposition party would not be broken by the defections, emphasizing that the PDP remains firmly rooted in the hearts of Nigerians.
“I can tell anyone that cares to hear that PDP will still stand strong after our convention in November,” Olalemi stated.
“Nigerians are not ready for a one-party state because it will bring authoritarianism and dictatorship. Nigerians want a multi-party democratic system. The APC government has not impressed the people, and they will show this at the polls.”
Olalemi added that political defections were not new in Nigeria’s democracy but questioned the motives behind the recent moves.
“If there are crises in the PDP, real men should stay to resolve them rather than jump ship,” he said.
“If running away from PDP makes them men, we shall see what happens in 2027.”
The PDP chieftain expressed optimism that the party would emerge stronger after its national convention in November, positioning itself as a viable alternative for Nigerians seeking change.
