A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest, Prince Ambassador (Dr.) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla, has made it clear that he would rather walk away from politics than become a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he called a “political cult” and “an instrument of national regression.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Ewenla, who is the PDP Southwest Ex-Officio, said he could not be part of a party he believes no longer supports democracy. He noted that the APC has turned into a one-man show under the control of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I would rather bow out of active politics with my integrity intact than compromise my principles by joining the All Progressives Congress,” he stated. “The APC is no longer a political party in the democratic sense. It has become a personal political empire, devoid of fairness, inclusion, and ideology.”
Ewenla went further to criticize the APC’s style of governance, especially in Lagos State. He claimed the party chooses candidates based on favoritism, often selecting individuals from Lagos Island to represent areas on the Mainland, without considering the needs of local communities.
“This is not democracy; it is political slavery,” Ewenla said. “It is not governance; it is imposition. It is not progress; it is regression.”
He also addressed recent pressures from politicians and former PDP members who have asked him to defect. According to him, their actions are driven by personal gain and not by values or ideas.
“Are you asking me to join you in hardship, hunger, and shame? Politics is not a secret cult. If you truly believe in democratic values, ask yourself: is the APC still a party built on ideology, or a gathering of opportunists?” he asked.
Turning to Nigeria’s condition under APC rule, Ewenla blamed the party for the country’s growing poverty and insecurity. Citing new data from the National Bureau of Statistics, he noted that over 133 million Nigerians are now multi-dimensionally poor. He also drew attention to the inflation rate, which has climbed to 33.95% as of May 2025.
“Under APC’s governance, Nigeria has become a nation in crisis. Our economy is bleeding, food prices are at record highs, and unemployment is deepening, particularly among the youth,” he said.
He didn’t stop there. Ewenla spoke about the country’s security issues, saying Nigeria is now among Africa’s most unsafe nations. He listed the rise in terrorism, kidnappings, and violent clashes in rural areas as proof that the government has failed to protect its people.
“Even basic healthcare has collapsed. Our hospitals are underfunded, our roads are death traps, and our medical professionals are emigrating in large numbers,” he said.
Despite challenges within his own party, Ewenla stood firm in his support for the PDP. He believes it still holds on to core democratic beliefs and is committed to helping Nigerians.
“I will never join a party that has betrayed the Nigerian people, destroyed our economy, and trampled on democratic values,” he concluded. “Let it be known: I, Prince Ambassador (Dr.) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla, will NEVER join the APC.”
