Elder Emma Ogidi, the South-South Caretaker Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has called on Nigerians to actively defend multi-party democracy, warning against what he described as growing threats to democratic pluralism in the country.

Speaking during an interview in Abuja, Ogidi addressed internal party issues, the state of opposition politics, and what he described as attempts to weaken Nigeria’s democratic framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ogidi stressed that democracy thrives on the existence of multiple viable political parties and warned against tendencies that could undermine that structure.

According to him, Nigerians must not be passive observers.

“Nigerians should stand for multi-party democracy.”

He said democracy cannot function properly without a strong opposition and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

“Nigerians should resist APC because APC is trying to kill democracy. We should be vigilant; we should not sleep anymore.”

During the interview, Ogidi alleged that actions taken by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amount to attempts to weaken opposition parties and consolidate power.

He said such developments, if not checked, could erode democratic values and limit political competition.

Ogidi maintained that democracy requires fairness, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for the independence of political institutions.

Addressing internal issues within the PDP, Ogidi acknowledged that the party has faced challenges but maintained that the PDP remains committed to democratic processes.

He spoke about efforts within the party to resolve disputes and reposition the PDP as a strong opposition platform ahead of future elections.

He said party leaders and stakeholders must prioritise unity and adherence to due process in resolving disagreements.

Ogidi emphasised that safeguarding democracy is not solely the responsibility of political actors but also of citizens.

He urged Nigerians to:

• Remain politically aware

• Participate actively in democratic processes

• Resist any actions that could weaken institutional checks and balances

He stressed that democracy survives when citizens demand accountability and transparency.

While discussing preparations toward 2027, Ogidi said political competition must be fair and open, adding that Nigerians deserve credible alternatives in governance.

He reiterated that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy depends on preserving a multi-party system where different political viewpoints can coexist and compete lawfully.