PDP Says 2027 Election Between Tinubu and Nigerians, Not Just Political Parties

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the upcoming polls will transcend the usual inter-party rivalry and become a direct contest between President Bola Tinubu and the everyday Nigerian struggling under economic and social hardship. The PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, made this assertion in Abuja on Thursday while presenting the Certificate of Return to Chief Ezenwafor Jude, the party’s candidate for the Anambra State governorship election.

Damagum stressed that the election would serve as a referendum on the present administration’s performance and the harsh realities faced by citizens. “This election in 2027 is not about how many governors you have or how many leaders. It’s about Tinubu and Nigerians,” he said, pointing to the widespread discontent among the populace. He framed the contest not as a battle between political titans, but as a grassroots-driven movement to reclaim governance in favor of the people.

Calling attention to Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, Damagum said the daily struggles of ordinary citizens should be at the forefront of the electoral decision-making process. “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 stated, urging voters to view the 2027 election as a chance to reject hardship and demand accountability.

Harsh Economic Realities: PDP Holds APC Responsible

The PDP leader did not mince words in his critique of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), blaming the party for what he described as “deliberate hardship” imposed on the Nigerian people. According to Damagum, the current economic situation is not accidental but a result of poor governance and policy failures by the Tinubu administration.

“This hardship is inflicted on us by design, not by any coincidence,” Damagum said. His remarks echo growing concerns among citizens over inflation, unemployment, fuel prices, and insecurity. The PDP’s strategy ahead of 2027 appears to be grounded in tapping into this discontent and positioning the party as the true voice of the people.

He further called on all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, to unite and “rescue ourselves” from what he termed “a government of suffering.” The PDP’s message, delivered amid worsening public sentiment, marks a shift in tone from traditional party rivalry to people-versus-power rhetoric.

PDP Reacts to High-Profile Defections in Delta State

Damagum also used the platform to address the recent defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire state executive council to the APC. The news has sent shockwaves through the PDP, considering Delta’s long-standing loyalty to the party and its central role in past electoral victories.

Expressing deep disappointment, Damagum described the development as a betrayal. “It’s very sad and unfortunate because to me, if there’s any state that should think that way, not Delta, because the party is very magnanimous,” he said. He emphasized that Delta State had received significant support from the PDP, particularly during the governorship tenures of Okowa and Oborevwori.

Despite his disappointment, Damagum chose to remain optimistic about the party’s resilience. “It’s a decision taken by them, but the pains will be in us,” he said, highlighting the emotional impact the defection would have on party loyalists. “All the same, this is a party that has seen more than that, but it’s still standing.”

Call for Unity and Mobilization Ahead of 2027

In light of internal challenges and external opposition, Damagum urged party members and Nigerians at large to close ranks and prepare for what he termed a “rescue mission.” He emphasized that unity within the PDP and among the populace was critical to defeating the APC at the polls and reversing the current trend of economic distress and social insecurity.

“This is the time for us to organize, mobilize, and speak with one voice,” he declared. Damagum noted that while defections were a blow, the spirit of the PDP remains unshaken. “We least expected this action from them… but we will not allow this to derail our mission.”

The PDP appears poised to rebrand itself as a platform for national recovery, shifting focus from internal politics to broad-based mobilization. By framing the 2027 election as a battle between citizens and the political elite, the party hopes to galvanize widespread support and redefine the election narrative.

Anambra Governorship Symbolic of PDP’s Future

While the national conversation dominated the event, the occasion itself—presentation of the Certificate of Return to Chief Ezenwafor Jude—signified the PDP’s commitment to building from the grassroots level. The Anambra State governorship race is seen as a litmus test for the party’s popularity and strategic readiness ahead of 2027.

Damagum praised Jude’s emergence as a symbol of continuity and a fresh start, stating that local victories will pave the way for national resurgence. “We are not just contesting elections; we are laying the foundation for the future,” he remarked. The party leader emphasized that reclaiming power starts at the local level and urged Anambra citizens to rally behind the PDP candidate.

The PDP’s message was clear: every election, no matter how local, plays a role in the broader mission of national recovery. With 2027 on the horizon, the party is positioning itself as the vehicle through which Nigerians can channel their frustration, demand change, and shape the country’s future.