TINUBU’S PRESIDENCY IS A ‘BAD MARKET’ — PDP DECLARES, VOWS TO UNSEAT APC IN 2027

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday unleashed a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, branding it a “bad market” and declaring that Nigerians are already yearning for change in 2027. During an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, expressed deep concern over what he described as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s catastrophic failure in governance.

Ologunagba accused the APC of plunging the country into unprecedented economic hardship, worsening insecurity, and widespread hopelessness. “This is a government that tells people to fast while they are feasting,” he said, illustrating a disconnect between the rulers and the suffering masses. According to him, the Tinubu presidency has lost the trust and empathy of the average Nigerian and cannot expect support in the next general election.

He warned that no responsible political party or citizen should endorse a government that has weaponized poverty, abandoned public infrastructure, and allowed insecurity to fester. “His presidency is a bad market,” Ologunagba said bluntly.

Economic Woes and Crumbling Infrastructure Under APC

The PDP’s spokesperson painted a dire picture of the economic reality under the Tinubu-led government. He described a shrinking economy where air travel has become a luxury, citing his personal experience of flying from Lagos to Abuja on a nearly empty plane—despite a significant increase in fares. “The airport was empty. It’s a Sunday evening, and the plane was half full. That tells you how bad things have gotten,” he said.

He further argued that infrastructure across the country has deteriorated under the APC, with public services failing and the private sector struggling to survive. Ologunagba blamed poor fiscal management, policy inconsistency, and insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Nigerians for the situation.

The PDP insisted that, unlike the APC, its administration—past and present—has a record of responsible economic stewardship. He challenged Nigerians to compare PDP-controlled states with those led by the APC, highlighting positive performance in agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure in states like Osun, Bayelsa, and Oyo.

Insecurity and Political Violence Becoming the Norm

Ologunagba also raised the alarm over the worsening security situation in the country. He cited recent violent killings in Plateau State and the alleged assault on a PDP candidate from Anambra State in Abuja as evidence that insecurity has become a “new normal” under the Tinubu administration. He criticized the APC government for failing to protect lives and property, accusing it of paying lip service to national security.

He noted that rising political violence and state-backed intimidation of opposition figures further demonstrate the government’s growing authoritarian tendencies. “No nation can thrive in fear. We are seeing a pattern of attacks, not just by bandits or terrorists, but also political thuggery being encouraged by the ruling party,” he warned.

Despite these challenges, Ologunagba affirmed that the PDP remains undeterred, as it continues to draw strength from its nationwide grassroots network and loyal supporters. “Our strength is in the people,” he emphasized, dismissing elite defections as inconsequential in the face of growing public discontent with the APC.

PDP’s 2027 Game Plan: Structure, Legacy, and National Reach

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Ologunagba declared that the PDP is actively recalibrating its structures to provide Nigerians with a viable, credible, and compassionate alternative to the APC. He emphasized that no party can rival the PDP in terms of national spread, institutional memory, and legacy of achievement.

He boasted that the party’s grassroots machinery remains intact across all geopolitical zones, giving it a strategic edge ahead of the next general elections. “Despite elite defections, people are not leaving the PDP. They are holding firm because we speak to their reality,” he said.

He referenced the recent local government elections in Lagos State as a clear indication of voter apathy and dissatisfaction with the APC, pointing out the low turnout as a “silent vote of no confidence” in the ruling party. “If the APC is as popular as it claims, the turnout in Lagos wouldn’t have been 6%,” he stated.

NEC Meeting to Chart Course for PDP’s Political Revival

Ologunagba also announced the PDP’s upcoming 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled to hold from July 23 to 25, 2025. He said the meeting will focus on preparing for the party’s national convention, reviewing progress from the zoning and convention committees, and ratifying congresses held at various levels.

“All NEC members, as provided in Section 31, Subsection 1 of our Constitution, are expected to attend. INEC has been duly notified, and all our activities will be conducted in line with the rule of law,” he said.

Reiterating the party’s commitment to internal unity and democratic processes, the PDP spokesperson said the party is poised to restore hope and rebuild the nation. “The PDP is the only party capable of unseating the APC—not just in word, but by structure, by reach, and by proven governance,” he said. “Nigerians are calling on us to come together and rescue this country from the misrule of this reckless and insensitive APC regime.”