The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s claim that the party is “dead,” insisting that it remains a vibrant political force undergoing a rebuilding process ahead of future elections.
The response followed Akpabio’s remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the newly completed Akinwumi Ajibola Street in the Gaduwa District of Abuja. While representing President Bola Tinubu at the event, the Senate President joked that he did not know the PDP still existed and urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to “allow it to die.”
In a statement issued shortly afterwards, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, described Akpabio’s comments as “political wishful thinking” and maintained that the party remains resilient despite recent internal challenges.
“The PDP is alive, the PDP is strong, and the PDP is rebuilding,” Jungudo said.
He argued that the party has consistently overcome political setbacks throughout its 27-year history and is once again witnessing renewed momentum across the country.
According to the PDP, recent developments including victories in the Adamawa State local government elections, the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election, and the defection of prominent political figures and stakeholders from several states demonstrate its continued relevance and growing national appeal.
The opposition party also pointed to what it described as an irony in Akpabio’s remarks, noting that the project at whose commissioning the Senate President criticised the PDP was being overseen by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whom it described as “a proud PDP member” currently serving in the APC-led Federal Government.
“If anything, the occasion was a celebration of the competence, capacity and leadership that the PDP has consistently produced over the years,” the statement said. “One cannot commission the achievements of a PDP man in the morning and suggest that the PDP is dead in the afternoon.”
The party further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was becoming increasingly uneasy over what it called the PDP’s resurgence and expanding support base.
It expressed confidence that Nigerians would once again entrust it with leadership in future elections, saying it remained well-positioned to offer “purposeful, inclusive and people-oriented leadership.”
Akpabio’s original comments came as he acknowledged dignitaries at the Abuja event, where he quipped, “I didn’t know there was still PDP. Wike, stop confusing us. If a party has died, allow it to die,” before adding that he would not discuss the PDP’s National Working Committee because “anything that has died has died.”
The exchange is the latest in a series of verbal confrontations between leaders of the ruling APC and the main opposition party, highlighting the intensifying political rhetoric as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
