March 16, (THEWILL) — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that it has effectively ceased to exist following recent defections of some of its members, insisting that the party remains a formidable political force in Nigeria.
A statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the comment as “most unfortunate”, arguing that it reflected what he called a deliberate effort by the APC to undermine democratic opposition in the country.
He described the claim, reportedly made by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, as misleading and an attempt by the ruling party to create a false narrative about the strength of the opposition.
Ememobong maintained that the PDP remains active and influential across the federation despite defections by some political office holders.
According to him, many of the defections being celebrated by the ruling party were allegedly secured through pressure and inducement, adding that such tactics would not weaken the party’s nationwide structure.
He further argued that the political realities in the country contradict the APC’s claims, noting that Nigerians continue to express dissatisfaction with the policies of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The PDP spokesman also criticised the APC’s membership registration exercise, alleging that in several states the process had been manipulated by relying on existing databases from government empowerment programmes to inflate party registers. He said the alleged practice raised questions about the authenticity of the APC’s membership figures.
Ememobong also referred to the disruption of a “City Boys” political event in Owerri, which he suggested reflected growing public frustration with the ruling party’s leadership.
The PDP maintained that attempts to portray the opposition as weakened were part of a broader strategy to dominate Nigeria’s political space. He warned that excessive political propaganda could undermine public trust in democratic institutions and deepen divisions in the country’s political landscape.
The opposition party said it remains committed to strengthening democratic governance and offering Nigerians credible alternatives to the policies of the ruling party.
Ememobong added that political competition should be based on ideas and performance rather than narratives designed to delegitimise opposing voices. He insisted that the PDP’s structures across the states remain intact and that the party continues to mobilise supporters nationwide.
The statement concluded that the party would remain focused on engaging Nigerians and presenting policy alternatives to address the country’s economic and governance challenges.
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