A prominent political figure and former presidential adviser, Hakeem Baba‑Ahmed, has dismissed the likelihood of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) making a strong return in the 2027 general elections, calling the once‑dominant opposition party “gone” and beyond repair.
Speaking on Arise News on Thursday, Baba‑Ahmed — who previously served as a political adviser in President Bola Tinubu’s administration and as spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum — said the PDP’s internal collapse began after the party lost power in 2015 and has worsened over time.
“The PDP is drifting away. I think it is gone, and I do not believe anyone can fix it,” he said. “The PDP is not the only party capable of providing a credible opposition to the APC; there is the ADC and others.”
According to Baba‑Ahmed, the challenges within the PDP go beyond the ruling party’s strengths, pointing instead to self‑inflicted damage that has left the opposition divided, weakened, and without a clear vision.
He argued that many PDP leaders, accustomed to years in power, lack the experience and cohesion required to function effectively in opposition.
He also highlighted the ongoing internal crises within the PDP, noting defections, leadership disputes, and a failure to redefine the party’s direction since the 2023 elections.
These issues have seen several prominent members, including some governors, depart for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or other political formations, deepening the party’s instability.
While acknowledging that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other smaller parties might step in as alternative opposition forces, Baba‑Ahmed cautioned that such parties must offer fresh ideas and credible leadership to win public trust.
Without clear policies and strong leadership, he said, they risk replicating the same flaws that have plagued the PDP.
Baba‑Ahmed also reflected on the broader political landscape ahead of 2027, saying President Tinubu has been effective in drawing politicians into his fold, though he insisted that merely accumulating allies does not equate to unassailable power.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s political dynamics are evolving and that opposition parties must reinvent themselves to remain relevant.
Political analysts and other commentators have expressed similar concerns in recent months. The PDP has faced leadership battles, judicial disputes, and factional divisions as various interest groups within the party push for control, further weakening its organisational strength.
The prolonged strife within the PDP has prompted calls from some quarters for unity or fresh alliances, including suggestions that the party merge with like‑minded opposition groups to present a stronger challenge to the APC — a strategy that remains under discussion among political stakeholders.
As the countdown to the 2027 general elections continues, the fate of the PDP as a viable opposition force remains a central debate in Nigeria’s political discourse.
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