The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as false and politically motivated, claims that its structure in Akwa Ibom State has collapsed into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The denial came from PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPA-J), a pro-PDP group, following reports that the PDP and other opposition platforms had endorsed the 2027 re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
In a statement made available to journalists in Uyo on Monday, the group said the reported endorsement did not represent the position of the PDP, describing the development as a political manoeuvre allegedly designed to create the impression that the APC had secured the backing of the opposition party in the state.
The statement, signed by PAPA-J Chairman, Dr. Tom FredFish, and Secretary, Mr. Saviour Uko, declared that no legitimate PDP structure in any of the 31 Local Government Areas had defected to the APC.
“PAPA-J wishes to state categorically that no legitimate PDP structure in any Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has collapsed for the APC,” the group said.
According to the group, the PDP remains a formidable political platform in the state, with structures, members and supporters across the 31 Local Government Areas.
It alleged that the APC was attempting to appropriate the identity and popularity of the PDP because of what it described as the enduring influence of the opposition party among Akwa Ibom voters.
“What the APC appears to be doing is an exercise in political desperation, borrowing the name and identity of the PDP because of the party’s enduring popularity among Akwa Ibom people, in an attempt to scout for votes ahead of 2027,” PAPA-J said.
The group also disputed the identity of the individual reportedly presented as the PDP chairman at the gathering where the endorsement was said to have taken place, insisting that the person was not recognised by the party.
PAPA-J maintained that the authentic leadership of the PDP in the state was represented by Hon. (Barr.) Igwat Umoren, urging party members and supporters to disregard decisions or political arrangements that did not emanate from the recognised party structure.
“The authentic leadership of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State is represented by the distinguished Hon. (Barr.) Igwat Umoren,” the group stated.
It further cautioned PDP members and the general public against what it described as political arrangements allegedly conceived and executed secretly and later presented as the collective position of the party.
“It is therefore instructive for PDP members, supporters and the general public to ignore political arrangements allegedly conceived and executed in the middle of the night, particularly when such arrangements are subsequently presented as the collective position of the PDP,” it said.
The group challenged the APC to build its own political structures and campaign on its record rather than, as it alleged, relying on the identity and popularity of the PDP.
PAPA-J said the PDP remained firmly rooted in Akwa Ibom and would continue to mobilise its members and supporters ahead of the 2027 elections.
