- Alleges, Party Now a Parastatal of the APC
By Hamilton Nwosa
A former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has dropped a bombshell, accusing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being “purchased” by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Melaye claimed that the development has effectively reduced the opposition party to a mere extension of the ruling party.
The former lawmaker who recently defected from the PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made these claims during an appearance on Channels Television.
He asserted that the party has lost its independence and now operates as a “parastatal” and “department” of the APC.
He claimed that key decisions, including the scheduling of the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) meetings, are dictated directly from the Seat of government.
He claimed: “PDP has been purchased by APC. PDP is a parastatal of the APC. PDP is a department of the APC. They take dates for NEC meetings and dates for when to have NWC from the [Presidential] Villa.
“Just look at the number of governors in the PDP today. Are these governors acting like opposition governors? Are they playing opposition roles as governors? Those who are remaining in the PDP are holding fort for the APC.”
Defending his decision to leave the PDP, Melaye claimed the party is not acting like an opposition.
“With due respect to my uncle, Babangida Aliyu. You heard him two days ago; he said if we can tolerate Buhari for eight years, then we should tolerate Tinubu for another four years,” the former lawmaker said.
“Is that the voice of an opposition person? So, what I’m telling you, in essence, is we live in precarious times.”
He added that he believes his new party will produce a candidate capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
He continued: “Those of us in the ADC need to create a comfortable, stable platform. And I believe that platform will produce a candidate that will unseat President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“But I have made it a point of duty that I will not be talking about a presidential candidate or aspirant or preference for anybody until we get the party completely stabilised and organise a transparent convention that will produce a presidential candidate of the ADC who, by the grace of God, will kick.”
