2027: Only PDP-led coalition can unseat APC — Kaduna chairman

By Dapo Akinrefon

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Mr. Edward Marshall, has said that opposition parties can only unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections if they form a coalition under the PDP.

Marshall stated this on Wednesday while receiving members of the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim (GOH-Front) political group at the party’s Secretariat in Kaduna. The group was there to protest the PDP National Executive Committee’s (NEC) decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

Speaking with journalists after receiving their petition, the PDP chairman insisted that while alliances were welcome, only the PDP had the nationwide spread and structure needed to mount a serious challenge to the APC.

“Coalitions are welcome, but no party has structures across the country like the PDP. Take it or leave it, PDP is the only party that can provide that kind of structure,” Marshall said.

He argued that Nigerians had lost faith in the APC after years of hardship under its leadership, pointing to the worsening economy, rising cost of living, and widespread poverty.

“How many Nigerians today can feed themselves even two times a day, not to talk of three? Look at the prices in the market compared to two years ago. The economy is bad and the cost of living is high. Nigerians will not vote APC,” he added.

Marshall also expressed optimism that the party’s forthcoming national convention, slated for November 15 and 16, would attract many returnees and reinvigorate the PDP ahead of 2027.

“When credible leaders emerge after the convention, you will see a lot of permutations. Those who left PDP will return, and even some from the ruling party will come back. Once that happens, no one will be able to stop it,” he predicted.

On the issue of zoning, Marshall reiterated the NEC’s decision at its 102nd meeting in August to retain the chairmanship in the North and zone the presidential ticket to the South.

“That is the NEC decision and I cannot go against it. But it was also clearly stated that zoning does not preclude anybody who intends to contest. So the field is still open for anyone with the capacity and interest,” he clarified.

Responding, the State Coordinator of the GOH-Front, Aliyu Mohammed, who submitted the petition alongside three other party chieftains, urged the PDP to reverse the zoning decision.

“The presidential ticket should be left open to every loyal member of this party who is capable of contesting. That is the only way PDP will be stronger,” Mohammed said.

He argued that, as an opposition party, the PDP should focus on exploiting the weaknesses of the ruling APC instead of restricting its options.

“Our demand is simple: let the contest remain open, so that whoever emerges will carry the flag of the party legitimately,” he added.

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