Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is “gone and beyond repair,” arguing that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could emerge as a credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Baba-Ahmed stated this on Thursday during a programme on Arise News, while reacting to the lingering internal crises within the PDP since the 2023 general elections and the defection of several of its members, including serving governors, to the APC.
“The PDP is drifting away. I think it is gone, and I do not believe anyone can fix it,” he said.
According to him, the PDP is not the only party capable of providing opposition to the APC, noting that other parties, including the ADC, could fill the vacuum.
“The PDP is not the only party capable of providing a credible opposition to the APC; there is the ADC and others,” he said.
However, Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima, cautioned that the ADC must present itself as a fresh alternative in Nigerian politics by offering ideas different from existing narratives.
He said merely branding itself as an opposition party would not be sufficient, stressing that Nigerians were more interested in clear policy options and defined governance priorities.
“Ask them today what they will do, beyond just simply opposing and hoping that they can unseat President Tinubu; they won’t tell you,” he said.
“Somebody in this party should be saying to Nigerians, if you trust us in 2027, these are the things we will do,” he added.
Baba-Ahmed urged the ADC to embark on massive recruitment of credible politicians, including defectors from other parties, to strengthen the opposition and articulate a clear vision for the country.
“They must embark on massive recruitment of credible politicians, including colleagues that will come from other parties, rallying around the opposition, and designing a future for this country,” he said.
He also warned the party against recycling familiar political figures as symbols of change, noting that many voters were increasingly tired of recycled leadership.
“We don’t want to see the same old politicians coming forward. If you give me power, I’ll be different,” he said.
He further noted the growing influence of young voters in Nigeria’s democracy.
“Sixty percent of Nigerians will be voting now. They are young people. They want new people. They want new faces. They want new energies,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed emphasised the need to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, warning that its collapse would be disastrous for both democratic governance and the citizens.
He said Nigeria must be fixed, adding that the failure of its democratic system would have grave consequences for the country.
