The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the recently held 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the exercise as lacking cohesion, legitimacy, and the participation of key stakeholders.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Hon. Oluseye Oladejo, the Lagos APC said the convention — which the PDP had projected as a major step in its internal reorganisation — instead highlighted the party’s continuing internal challenges and waning political influence.
Low Turnout of Stakeholders
According to the statement, the absence of several prominent PDP leaders, including some serving state governors, raised fresh concerns about the party’s unity. The APC said the non-attendance of delegates from at least 13 states further indicated a deepening internal disconnect.
Political observers have noted that the PDP has, in recent years, grappled with leadership disputes, factional alignments, and unresolved party structures across various states.
INEC Declines to Monitor
The controversy surrounding the convention intensified when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not monitor the exercise. The Lagos APC argued that the commission’s decision undermined the credibility of the gathering and called into question its compliance with electoral guidelines.
INEC, in previous statements on similar matters, has maintained that only conventions meeting statutory requirements are eligible for monitoring.
APC Reacts
Hon. Oladejo said the development reflected what he described as the PDP’s “continuing struggle to function as a coherent opposition party.” He argued that instead of presenting Nigerians with constructive alternatives, the party remained weighed down by internal disputes and inconsistent leadership.
He added that the APC at the national level, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was “focused on consolidating reforms, strengthening institutions, and delivering governance,” contrasting this with what he termed the PDP’s “repeated organisational setbacks.”
Concerns for Democratic Space
The Lagos APC expressed concern that the PDP’s internal instability could weaken the nation’s democratic landscape by depriving the polity of a strong, issue-driven opposition. Analysts have similarly noted that effective opposition is central to democratic accountability.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, the APC maintains that the events surrounding the convention offer an early indicator of the PDP’s preparedness for the electoral season. The ruling party insists that the opposition must resolve its internal issues to play a meaningful role in the months ahead.
The statement concluded with a pointed question: whether the gathering represented a genuine step toward party renewal or a symbolic retreat for a political organisation once dominant in Nigeria’s democratic experience.
