By Kunle Oderemi

Copyright tribuneonlineng

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Edward Marshall, has said that only a coalition of opposition parties led by the PDP is capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Marshall made the assertion on Wednesday when he received members of the Gbenga Olawepo Hashim Front (GOH-Front) at the PDP secretariat in Kaduna.

The delegation visited the state party office as part of their campaign against the decision of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) to zone the presidential ticket to the South.

Addressing journalists after receiving a letter from the group on its advocacy, the PDP chairman argued that while alliances are welcome, only the PDP has the nationwide structures and reach to challenge the APC successfully at the polls.

“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,” he emphasised.

The PDP chairman said Nigerians had lost faith in the APC after years of hardship under its leadership, insisting that the mood across the country showed the ruling party had lost popularity.

“Sincerely speaking, any reasonable Nigerian knows the people are not happy with this system. We were told to be patient with Buhari for eight years. Now the same people are telling us to be patient again under Tinubu. No Nigerian wants to hear APC’s name anywhere,” Marshall said.

He also decried the worsening state of the economy, rising cost of living, and the inability of many families to feed themselves or send their children to school, stressing that the electorate would not reward the APC with another term.

“How many Nigerians today can feed themselves even twice a day, not to talk of three times? 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 noted that the PDP’s national convention, scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, would be a turning point. He expressed confidence that it would attract many returnees and re-energise the PDP ahead of the general election.

“When credible leaders emerge after the convention, you will see a lot of permutations. Those who left the 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 said.

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Speaking on the request of the GOH-Front group, the chairman reiterated the decision of the PDP NEC 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’s 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 who has the capacity and interest,” he explained.

While submitting its letter to the chairman, the group, however, called for a reversal of the zoning decision in order to throw the race open.

Honourable Aliyu Mohammed (Achili), the state coordinator of GOH-Front, alongside three other party chieftains, said restricting the ticket could weaken the PDP’s chances against the APC.

“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,” he told reporters after submitting the letter.

As an opposition party, he said, the PDP should focus on exploiting the weaknesses of the ruling party instead of limiting its options.

“We don’t have to think like a ruling party. We must look at their loopholes and take back our mandate. That is why we are appealing for a reversal,” he said.

Mohammed disclosed that the petition was received by the state chairman, who assured them it would be forwarded to the national leadership for consideration.

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

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE