The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) has dismissed recent moves by opposition politicians to rally around the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring the PDP as the only credible and structured opposition force in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday at the PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders Conference in Abuja, themed “Reclaiming Our Legacy, Renewing Our Collective Vision,” BoT Secretary and former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, stated that any meaningful coalition must be built around the PDP.
“What we oppose is a coalition that lacks structure and viability,” Makarfi said. “The PDP remains the leading opposition party in Nigeria. Any genuine alliance should recognise our leadership role — that is what Nigerians expect.”
Makarfi ridiculed the idea of adopting ADC as a unifying platform for the opposition, describing it as structurally flawed and legally problematic. He cited official documents showing that the tenure of the current ADC leadership in his state extends to May 2026, suggesting that any parallel faction lacks legal standing.
“If someone gives you a structure now, which structure exactly? People are stepping into a legal mess,” he remarked.
He also expressed optimism that former PDP members who defected would return once the party resolves its internal issues and holds a successful national convention.
“Our main internal challenge was with the office of the national secretary, which is being resolved. Unlike the ADC, whose crisis affects its entire national structure, the PDP is still intact,” he explained.
Makarfi reiterated the party’s openness to coalition-building but insisted that such efforts must recognise the PDP as the foundation of any viable alliance.
“Not only will many of our members return, we are confident others from different parties will also join us,” he added.
