ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has declared that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a “dying party,” insisting that internal crisis and weak democratic structures have pushed it into steady decline.
Shaibu, who currently serves as Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, made the remarks in an interview where he also threw his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition, describing his administration as a major driver of political realignment across the country.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has adopted an inclusive political style that is attracting defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while weakening opposition structures.
Shaibu argued that Tinubu’s governance approach particularly reforms in sports administration and public sector restructuring reflects deliberate attempts to rebuild national systems, even if the reforms come with short-term hardship.
He maintained that economic pain under the current administration should be seen as part of a broader restructuring process, insisting that “no meaningful reform comes without sacrifice.”
On allegations that the APC is pushing Nigeria toward a one-party system, Shaibu dismissed the claim, saying the country’s multiparty structure remains intact and competitive, even as political alignments shift.
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He further defended the growing wave of defections into the APC, arguing that political movement between parties is a normal feature of democratic systems driven by interest rather than ideology.
Recalling his own political journey, Shaibu said his time in opposition exposed structural weaknesses in the PDP, which he claimed lacked internal democracy and inclusiveness, factors he believes contributed to its current instability.
He also referenced historical political transitions involving former presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, arguing that unresolved issues around political trust and succession continue to shape party politics in Nigeria.
Shaibu, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), also revealed that he is mobilising former student leaders nationwide to support Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
He said the network of former student activists remains politically influential and will be deployed to strengthen grassroots mobilisation across states ahead of the election.
On his personal political ambition, Shaibu ruled out contesting any elective office in 2027, declaring instead that his focus is fully committed to Tinubu’s re-election project.
He said his goal is to “double” the electoral support Tinubu received in his political base during the last election, describing it as a personal political target.
Shaibu added that his mobilisation effort extends beyond Edo State, leveraging long-standing networks built during his time in student politics and public service.
Analysts note that Shaibu’s comments reflect growing political consolidation around the APC as the 2027 election cycle draws closer, even as opposition parties continue to grapple with internal fragmentation and leadership struggles.