ABUJA – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the violent disruption of the party’s North-East Consultative Meeting held on Sunday in Gombe State.
Reacting to the incident, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the brawl as a reflection of deep-seated mistrust within the APC, especially among key political figures in the region.
Speaking with Vanguard in Abuja on Tuesday, Osadolor said the PDP, while committed to peaceful and issue-based politics, views the Gombe clash as a troubling sign of how violence is being normalized in Nigeria’s political space.
“The PDP abhors violence in politics and urges the APC to refrain from activities that encourage it,” Osadolor said.
Sources close to the North-East political bloc suggested that the fracas was triggered by internal rivalries over who might succeed Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027, amid speculation that President Bola Tinubu could choose a different running mate.
Osadolor accused elements within the APC leadership of worsening tensions through “careless talks and unconscionable acts,” adding that the party’s failure to manage internal differences is eroding public trust.
“How can they expect peace when they undermine their own members?” he asked.
While making it clear that the PDP is not concerned with the APC’s internal operations, Osadolor warned that the ruling party’s internal strife could have far-reaching effects on the broader political environment.
“We don’t want them to influence the general public or future elections into thinking violence is part of politics,” he stressed.
He urged APC leaders to act responsibly, warning that their conduct could set a dangerous precedent for young Nigerians.
Despite the criticism, Osadolor said the PDP sees a silver lining in the APC’s internal discord, suggesting it could benefit the opposition.
“We are happy that they are showing their disarray, and we wish their confusion to continue,” he stated.
He, however, reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to peaceful political engagement and addressing the real issues facing Nigerians.
The incident in Gombe and PDP’s reaction come as political tensions intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
