Senator Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is no longer functioning independently and is being directed by agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Presidential Villa. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Melaye declared that the PDP is effectively “dead and buried,” describing the opposition party as compromised and under the influence of the ruling APC.
Melaye, a former lawmaker and outspoken political figure, insisted that the PDP had been sold off to the APC. He used a metaphor to drive home his point, saying that apart from the resurrection of Jesus Christ, no dead body can rise again, and in his view, the PDP is no exception. According to him, the current state of the PDP is nothing more than an obituary being advertised, with no real political life left in the party.
He further alleged that the PDP is now operating as a satellite of the APC, with critical decisions being orchestrated directly from the Villa. In his words, “It’s the agents of the APC that control the PDP.” Melaye argued that this has left the party unable to play its role as a credible opposition, which in his opinion makes it irrelevant in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The ADC stalwart also reacted to recent comments made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who had expressed doubts about the PDP’s structure and effectiveness. Makinde reportedly remarked that there must first be a functional party before political strategies can be discussed. Melaye pointed to Makinde’s statement as evidence that even senior figures within the PDP recognize its collapse. “If a sitting governor is saying let’s have a party first, it means there is no party,” Melaye said, reinforcing his claim that the PDP has ceased to exist as a cohesive political force.
Melaye emphasized his loyalty to the ADC, asserting that the party is poised to become the true opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He expressed confidence that by 2027, the ADC would be strong enough to unseat Tinubu and take over power at the federal level. “I’m a proud member of the ADC and that is the party that will unseat Tinubu and by the grace of God send Tinubu out of the Villa come May 29, 2027,” he declared.
The remarks by Melaye highlight ongoing tensions within the opposition bloc and raise further questions about the internal strength of the PDP. The PDP, which once dominated Nigerian politics for 16 years, has faced a series of setbacks since losing the presidency in 2015. In-fighting, leadership disputes, defections, and a perceived lack of unity have fueled speculations about the party’s ability to regroup and present a formidable challenge in future elections.
For Melaye, however, the PDP has already crossed the point of no return. His assertion that the party is being run by APC agents at the Villa underscores his belief that Nigeria’s leading opposition party has been compromised beyond repair. By positioning the ADC as the alternative, he is signaling a shift in opposition politics, where smaller parties may seek to take advantage of the PDP’s struggles to gain national prominence.
While the PDP has not yet issued an official response to Melaye’s claims, his comments are likely to spark further debate about the party’s standing ahead of the 2027 elections. His outright dismissal of the PDP and his confidence in the ADC’s prospects suggest that Nigeria’s political realignment may intensify in the coming years, especially as opposition parties maneuver to challenge the dominance of the APC.
