Former political adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has issued a stark assessment of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that the major opposition party is “gone” and beyond repair. Speaking in a recent interview, Baba-Ahmed expressed deep skepticism about the PDP’s ability to stage a political comeback, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
Baba-Ahmed contended that the PDP’s current predicament stems from a fundamental inability to adapt after losing power, particularly after their defeat in the 2015 elections. He described the party as a “house divided against itself,” suggesting that its internal divisions have crippled its capacity to function effectively as an opposition force.
According to the former adviser, many PDP leaders, accustomed to long periods in government, lacked the experience and temperament to navigate the challenges of being in opposition. This prolonged period in power, he argued, led to a disconnect from reality once they were out of office, resulting in a loss of direction and strategic coherence.
While acknowledging that President Tinubu’s administration faces valid criticisms, including the perceived consolidation of power and the influx of politicians into his circle, Baba-Ahmed emphasized that the PDP’s self-inflicted wounds are a more significant factor in its decline. He pointed out that the party has consistently undermined its own standing through internal strife and fragmentation.
Baba-Ahmed highlighted the recurring pattern of internal crises within the PDP, noting that the party has repeatedly seen significant factions defect to other political platforms. This, he stated, is not a new phenomenon, referencing similar occurrences that weakened the party in the past, notably around the 2015 elections.
He further elaborated that the PDP’s internal disagreements have created a vacuum, allowing the ruling party to absorb disillusioned members. The inability of the PDP leadership to reconcile its factions and present a united front has, in his view, directly contributed to its diminishing influence and the erosion of its political base.
The former adviser suggested that blaming the government alone for the political landscape overlooks the substantial damage the PDP has inflicted upon itself. He posited that other political entities, such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), are also capable of offering credible opposition, further diminishing the PDP’s unique position.
Baba-Ahmed’s commentary underscores a critical period for the PDP, as it grapples with internal divisions and a perceived inability to regain national relevance. His assessment, coming from a figure connected to the current administration, adds significant weight to the ongoing debate about the future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
