Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have declared their intention to mobilize against the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, describing it as their next major political objective.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City on Monday, the Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, called on party members and supporters to begin preparations for what he described as a critical national battle.
“The next step for us as a party is to ensure Tinubu is not returned in 2027,” Aziegbemi told attendees. “This administration has pushed Nigerians into economic hardship, and we must take responsibility for reversing that course.”
The call to action comes just days after the Supreme Court upheld the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Edo’s 2024 governorship election—an outcome that many within the PDP consider a setback.
Despite the legal loss, Aziegbemi urged members to remain focused and resilient. “We must not be discouraged. We believe that with collective effort, we can bring about the change Nigerians deserve,” he said.
However, concerns about the party’s internal divisions were raised by Barrister Jimoh Ijegbai, a former commissioner and ex-local government chairman. He warned that PDP’s disunity, both at the state and national levels, poses a serious threat to its 2027 ambitions.
“Our chairman has spoken well, but we must face the truth. As things stand, we do not have a unified political vehicle to remove the president,” Ijegbai said. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
He referenced the ongoing factional disputes within the party, particularly the emergence of multiple candidates for by-elections in Edo Central and Edo South, saying such division could lead to another round of internal litigation.
Ijegbai urged PDP leaders to address the root of the crisis and engage in genuine reconciliation. “We can’t keep pretending everything is fine,” he said. “If we are serious about 2027, we must rebuild the party structure and agree on a clear path forward.”
He also criticized reliance on the anticipated PDP National Convention as a solution to the party’s problems. “Waiting for the convention to fix everything is a false hope. Real change must begin at the grassroots,” he added.
As the PDP in Edo sets its sights on 2027, both Aziegbemi and Ijegbai appear to agree on one thing: unity and internal reform will be essential if the party is to mount a credible challenge to the APC in the next election cycle.
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