2027: APC Detached from Grassroots – Kaduna PDP Chair
Despite a wave of defections and political realignments in Kaduna State, Hon. Edward Masha, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and leader of the Forum of 19 Northern States, insists that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is rapidly losing touch with the grassroots, while PDP is gaining momentum. Masha dismissed […]
Despite a wave of defections and political realignments in Kaduna State, Hon. Edward Masha, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and leader of the Forum of 19 Northern States, insists that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is rapidly losing touch with the grassroots, while PDP is gaining momentum.
Masha dismissed concerns over recent defections from the PDP, stressing that the impact is minimal and often opens space for more influential people to join the party.
“Sometimes when people leave, it gives others room to come in. Some desire to join us, but they feel certain individuals are blocking their chances. The moment that door opens, they rush in,” he said.
He accused the APC of manufacturing propaganda around PDP’s internal issues, especially in Southern Kaduna, and pointed out that high-profile exits have not translated into mass grassroots support for the ruling party.
“When Senator Danjuma La’ah left, who followed him? His top aide for eight years didn’t go with him. If you are a leader and even your immediate aides don’t follow you, then who are you leading?”
The PDP chieftain added that several political actors who left the party were now regretting their decisions.
“Some of them regret their early movement because there is nothing special where they went,” he said, suggesting that many decampees acted out of personal interest, not ideological conviction.
“Some left because zoning didn’t favour them. Others know they won’t get any ticket in the PDP. Some even have EFCC cases and are looking for safe landing,” Masha said pointedly.
He also challenged the credibility of the APC’s recent local government election performance in the state, describing it as fraudulent.
“Where in the world have you heard that results for 23 local government chairmen and 255 councillors were announced within 57 seconds?” he asked. “Even if you are just reading names and votes, it would take more than a minute.”
Masha questioned the ruling party’s commitment to governance, alleging that the Kaduna State Executive Council has only met eight times in over two years.
“What kind of governance is that? It’s just propaganda, lies, and deceit,” he lamented.
On whether the PDP can mount a credible challenge in 2027, Masha was emphatic. “We are battle-ready! Even when APC was the ruling party, we won three senatorial seats and 10 out of 16 House of Representatives seats in 2023. What is so special about the present government?”
He dismissed talk of joining forces with the ADC or forming a coalition as premature, likening such moves to building “a vehicle with deflated tires.”
“Our strength is greater than that of an individual. We move only as a party not as individuals,” he said. “With our capacity and bargaining power, we are simply being calculative.”