Ahmed Kaita urges vibrant opposition as PDP weakens from mass defections, advising politicians to rebuild a credible alternative to challenge APC dominance
Former lawmaker Senator Ahmed Kaita has made a passionate appeal to Nigerian politicians, advising them to halt the frantic rush into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and instead focus on building a vibrant opposition, amid the ongoing collapse of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also read: Senator Tinubu Launches Initiatives, Demands Budget For First Lady’s Office
Speaking on Thursday evening at a coalition meeting of political groups in Katsina State, Kaita described the PDP as a shadow of its former self, having lost much of its relevance due to the continued exodus of prominent members to the ruling party.
“The large number of politicians struggling to join the APC must work towards actualising a vibrant opposition party rather than scramble for seats,” Kaita said, lamenting that the PDP no longer possessed the capacity to mount meaningful resistance in the next general elections.
Citing recent defections of serving governors, legislators, and former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Kaita stressed that the current disintegration of the PDP was undermining Nigeria’s democratic balance.
Kaita, who lost the 2023 senatorial race in the Funtua zone under the PDP, revealed that discussions were ongoing to build an alternative political force capable of challenging the APC’s dominance.
“Prominent Nigerians under a coalition of political groups have been meeting both at state and national levels to adopt an existing political party and transform it into a formidable alternative,” he disclosed, adding that a final decision on the party would be announced in the coming weeks.
I urge you not to abandon this cause for temporary gains. If we build a credible opposition, our efforts will not be in vain.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Mustapha Inuwa, a former Secretary to the Katsina State Government, encouraged members of the coalition to remain steadfast and resist the temptation of defecting to the APC for financial inducements.
“I urge you not to abandon this cause for temporary gains. If we build a credible opposition, our efforts will not be in vain,” Inuwa said.
During the meeting, hundreds of former PDP members — including 287 candidates who had contested in the 2023 elections — were formally welcomed into the coalition.
Their leader, Jamilu Yahaya, accused the PDP leadership of betrayal and abandonment after the polls.
“We contested under the Lado-led PDP with sincerity, but we were deceived. Now, we are ready to work with the coalition to achieve real change for Katsina State,” he vowed.
Also read: Senator Husain Osun promises people-first leadership on June 12 Democracy Day
As the PDP struggles for survival, voices like Senator Kaita’s are amplifying calls for the birth of a new, cohesive opposition to rescue Nigeria’s political landscape from what many fear is turning into a one-party dominance.
