Former spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has said no one can redeem the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP has been battling for some time internal crisis stemming from control of power by its members since the 2023 general elections.
The party has lost members, including serving governors, senators and House of Representatives to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Thursday during a programme on Arise News, Baba-Ahmed said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could offer a credible opposition to the APC.
“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.
However, the former special adviser on political matters to Vice-President Kashim Shettima cautioned that the ADC should represent a new face in Nigerian politics, adding that the party must offer Nigerians ideas different from those already on the table.
He said merely branding itself as an opposition party is not enough, adding that Nigerians want clear policy choices and well-defined governance priorities.
“Ask them today what they will do, beyond just simply opposing and hoping that they can unseat President Tinubu; they won’t tell you,” Baba-Ahmed said.
“Somebody in this party should be saying to Nigerians, if you trust us in 2027, these are the things we will do.
“They must embark on massive recruitment of credible politicians, including colleagues that will come from other parties, rallying around the opposition, and designing a future for this country.”
Baba-Ahmed also warned the ADC against repackaging familiar political figures as symbols of change, noting that voters are increasingly weary of recycled leadership.
“We don’t want to see the same old politicians coming forward. If you give me power, I’ll be different,” he said.
“Sixty percent of Nigerians will be voting now. They are young people. They want new people. They want new faces. They want new energies,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed said Nigeria must be fixed, warning that the collapse of the country’s democracy would be a significant disaster—not only for democratic governance, but for Nigerians.
