Dino Melaye Slams PDP as APC’s Puppet, Vows ADC Will Unseat Tinubu in 2027

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of losing its identity as a credible opposition, claiming it has been compromised by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Melaye—who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—alleged that the APC has hijacked the PDP and rendered it ineffective.

According to Melaye, the PDP is now operating under the control of the APC, taking cues from the Presidential Villa. “PDP has been purchased by APC. It’s now a parastatal of the APC,” he said, questioning whether current PDP governors are genuinely acting as opposition leaders. He insisted that those left in the PDP are essentially holding ground for the APC.

Defending his move to the ADC, Melaye referenced recent remarks by PDP stalwart Babangida Aliyu, who suggested that Nigerians should endure another term of President Tinubu. Melaye criticized this stance, asking if such statements represent the voice of true opposition, adding, “We live in precarious times.”

When asked about his stance on supporting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 elections, Melaye declined to commit, instead expressing optimism in the ADC’s ability to produce a strong contender. He emphasized that the ADC is focused on building a stable platform and would eventually present a candidate capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu.

Melaye also painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s current economic situation, citing rising hunger and poverty. “People are dying of malnutrition. Some even scavenge at waste dumps for food,” he lamented. He warned that in many rural areas, the desperation for food has become so intense that distributing a few bags of rice could spark violent struggles.