“PDP Is Now a Parastatal of APC” — Dino Melaye Alleges Ruling Party Has Hijacked Opposition

Former senator Dino Melaye has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has effectively become an extension of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the APC of engineering the party’s internal collapse. Speaking on *Politics Today* on Channels Television, Melaye alleged that the PDP is no longer functioning as a credible opposition, but as a political tool in the hands of those in power.

“PDP has been purchased by APC. PDP is a parastatal of the APC. PDP is a department of the APC,” he said during the interview. “In fact, they take dates for NEC meetings and dates for when to have NWC from the \[Presidential] Villa.”

Melaye, who recently left the PDP for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticised the conduct of PDP governors, claiming they no longer behave like opposition figures. “Are these governors acting like opposition governors? Are they playing opposition roles? Those who are remaining in the PDP are holding fort for the APC,” he said.

Defending his decision to defect, the former Kogi West senator cited the PDP’s waning strength and inability to challenge the current administration. He expressed disappointment over comments from some PDP leaders, referencing Babangida Aliyu, who recently suggested that if Nigerians could tolerate former President Muhammadu Buhari for eight years, they should tolerate President Bola Tinubu for four more.

“Is that the voice of an opposition person? So, what I’m telling you, in essence, is we live in precarious times,” Melaye remarked.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Melaye voiced confidence in the ADC’s prospects. He said the party is focused on building a stable platform capable of producing a strong presidential candidate to challenge and potentially unseat President Tinubu. However, he clarified that discussions around specific candidates would only happen after the ADC holds a transparent and unifying convention.

“Those of us in the ADC need to create a comfortable, stable platform. And I believe that platform will produce a candidate that will unseat President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in 2027,” Melaye said. “But I have made it a point of duty that I will not be talking about a presidential candidate or aspirant or preference for anybody until we get the party completely stabilised.”