The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to consider rebranding and registering under a new name if it can no longer effectively compete in Nigeria’s political space.
Basiru made the remarks in Osogbo while receiving a group of former PDP members who had defected to the APC. He dismissed concerns that the growing number of defections to the ruling party signaled a drift toward a one-party system.
“By constitutional provision, Nigeria cannot become a one-party state. Section 221 of the Constitution guarantees political pluralism and allows individuals to contest elections through registered political parties,” he said.
“If the PDP is now too weak and structurally ineffective to compete, perhaps it should consider starting afresh under a new identity. Meanwhile, the APC remains focused on building a strong, people-oriented party that connects with the grassroots,” Basiru added.
The former Osun State Attorney General urged APC leaders to prioritize internal cohesion and grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general elections, stressing the importance of securing a second term for President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on the administration’s performance, Basiru praised President Tinubu’s leadership, noting that it had laid the groundwork for economic reform and earned recognition from international financial institutions.
“In the past two years, President Tinubu has shown bold and visionary leadership, setting Nigeria on a path to economic transformation,” he said.
Basiru also criticized the PDP-led Osun State Government for underperformance, particularly in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture.
“We must reclaim Osun from an administration that has failed to deliver in critical areas. The people deserve better,” he concluded.
