Senator Dino Melaye, a former Kogi West representative and a vocal PDP critic claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has morphed into a “parastatal” of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging it was “purchased” to neutralize opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Melaye, who quit the PDP in July 2025 citing its “lack of potency,” pointed to the defection of key figures like Sam Egwu to the APC-leaning African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition and the PDP’s failure to challenge Tinubu’s policies, such as fuel subsidy removal. He estimated the “purchase” involved millions in undisclosed funds, though he provided no evidence.
The PDP dismissed the accusation as baseless, with National Chairman Umar Damagun calling it a distraction from Melaye’s personal ambitions. Political analysts suggest the PDP’s 15% membership decline since 2023 and internal rifts, including the 2024 suspension of Governor Nyesom Wike, lend credence to Melaye’s narrative, though some view it as hyperbole to boost his own profile.
The narrative of political capture is explosive, raising concerns about democratic integrity, but its validation requires concrete proof, which remains elusive amid Nigeria’s polarized political landscape.