PDP accuses APC of using intimidation, bribes to woo Governors.

By Omodele Adigun

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using intimidation, harassment, and financial inducement to lure governors and federal lawmakers from the opposition into its fold.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made the allegation in Abuja while reacting to reports that Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is set to join the APC next week, amid speculations that Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri may also defect.

Ologunagba described the ongoing defections as “products of coercion and intimidation,” alleging that the ruling party has weaponised state power to pressure opposition figures into crossing over.

“There are rumours that members of the National Assembly are being induced with money and appointments to decamp. But let it be known that the 2027 election will not be determined by defections,” he said.

He maintained that Nigerians are not interested in political drama but in solutions to “rampant insecurity, hunger, and economic hardship” under the APC-led government.

“The present administration is neither responsive nor responsible to Nigerians. People are going to bed hungry; families can’t pay hospital bills. Nigerians are not decamping from hunger to another party — they are yearning for hope, and that hope lies in the PDP,” Ologunagba declared.

The spokesman dismissed fears over the wave of defections, insisting that the PDP remains united and strong ahead of its national convention scheduled for November in Ibadan.

“The APC is jittery because they know the PDP’s convention will reposition the party for victory in 2027. They want to destabilize us, but too bad for them — we are more united than ever,” he added.

Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP’s strength lies not in individuals but in its connection to ordinary Nigerians.

“Our name says it all — People’s Democratic Party. We take care of the people, not the elite. The other party calls itself All Progressives Congress, but their progress is for a few,” he said.

Also speaking, Oyo State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Venue Sub-committee of the PDP National Convention, Dr Adebayo Lawal, said preparations for the Ibadan convention were in full gear.

Lawal expressed confidence that the gathering would “unite and reinvigorate” the PDP, setting it on course to reclaim power at the federal and state levels in 2027.