Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna state,Edward Masha, has declared that only a coalition led by the party can successfully dislodge the ruling Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
Masha spoke on Wednesday while receiving a large crowd of supporters from the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Solidarity Movement (GOH-Front).
Supporters of Olawepo-Hashim, a presidential hopeful, stormed the PDP Secretariat in Kaduna to submit a petition demanding a reversal of the PDP’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the South.
Addressing journalists shortly after receiving the group’s petition, Masha said that while alliances are welcome, only the PDP has the national structure to mount a serious challenge to the APC in 2027.
“Coalitions are welcome, but no party has the structure across Nigeria like the PDP. Take it or leave it. Only PDP can provide that kind of reach,” Masha said.
He said the Nigerian electorate is tired of the APC, citing worsening economic conditions, disillusionment with governance, and deepening hardship.
“We were told to be patient for eight years under Buhari. Now they’re asking us again to be patient under Tinubu. Nigerians no longer want to hear the APC’s name,” he said.
According to him, the living conditions of Nigerians have deteriorated sharply, with many families unable to meet basic needs.
“Most Nigerians can’t feed twice a day. Parents can’t afford school fees. Market prices have skyrocketed. Nigerians will not reward APC with another mandate,” Masha said.
According to Masha, the PDP’s upcoming National Convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16, will be a critical turning point for the party.
“Once credible leaders emerge at the convention, those who left will return. Even some from within the APC will find their way back. When that moment comes, the PDP will be unstoppable,” he said.
On the party’s decision to zone the presidential ticket to the South, Masha clarified that the resolution does not exclude aspirants from other regions.
“That is the NEC’s position. But it also made it clear that zoning does not prevent anyone from contesting. The field remains open,” he explained.
Speaking earlier, Aliyu Mohammed Kaduna, state coordinator of GOH-Front, argued that limiting the ticket to the South could diminish the PDP’s electoral prospects in key battlegrounds.
He said, “The presidential ticket should be open to every loyal and competent party member.
“That is the only way PDP will be strong enough to face the APC.”
Mohammed urged the PDP not to repeat the strategic missteps of the past, emphasising that the party must focus on exploiting the weaknesses of the ruling APC rather than restricting its own options.
“We are the opposition. We must act like it. We must study the ruling party’s failures and use them to our advantage. That’s why we are appealing for a reversal of zoning the party’s presidential ticket to the South, “Mohammed said.
