Former Senator representing Kogi State, Dino Melaye, has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost its identity as a true opposition force, alleging that it has effectively come under the control of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television political programme aired on Friday, Melaye said.
“The PDP has been bought. Bought by who? By the APC.
The party now functions like a department under the ruling APC. Even their meetings are allegedly coordinated from the Presidential Villa.”
Melaye also criticized the conduct of PDP governors, accusing them of failing to act as a credible counterbalance to the APC-led government.
“Just look at how PDP governors behave—do they resemble opposition leaders?
Nigerian governors have significant power, yet they’re not using it to challenge the APC. Many of them appear to be doing the ruling party’s bidding.”
He further took aim at former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, accusing him of weakening the PDP’s stance with his recent public comments.
“With due respect to my uncle, Babangida Aliyu he recently said that if Nigerians could tolerate Buhari for eight years, they should also tolerate this administration for another four.
Is that what you expect from someone in opposition? That doesn’t sound like a PDP member. That sounds like someone speaking for the APC.”
Melaye warned that Nigeria is entering a dangerous political period.
“We’re in a perilous phase one where even the devil seems to have a say in the country’s direction. If we don’t change course, the consequences could be catastrophic.”
Now affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Melaye described the party as a moral alternative for those seeking real change.
“The ADC is like an altar call in church only those whose conscience is stirred respond.
That’s what we represent: a national awakening for those who are tired of darkness and want to walk toward the light.
We want to look our grandchildren in the eyes someday and say, ‘When Nigeria was at its worst, we stood up and took action.’”
While acknowledging the imperfections within the ADC, Melaye emphasized the sincerity of its mission.
“We’re not claiming everyone in ADC is a saint. But those of us who joined did so out of concern for Nigeria’s future.
We believe in change. We believe in building a new order.”