Date: August 3, 2025
By: Dalena Reporters
This weekend's national newspaper headlines across Nigeria have drawn sharp public attention to two critical national issues: a concerning spike in criminal activity across several regions and intensifying internal deliberations within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as it quietly begins the search for a viable 2027 presidential candidate.
Rising Crime Rates Stir National Anxiety
From kidnapping incidents in the North-Central to armed robbery reports in parts of the South-East, major publications including The Punch, Daily Trust, and The Guardian are spotlighting what many experts now describe as a resurgence of organized crime. Security analysts have called for urgent reform in policing, improved intelligence coordination, and more community-level intervention.
Civil society groups and lawmakers alike are expressing concern over the increasing boldness of criminals and the slow pace of government response, warning that failure to address the security gap may have long-term consequences for national stability.
“The public is becoming frustrated. We need stronger accountability from security agencies,” said Barr. Halima Idris, a human rights advocate based in Abuja.
PDP Strategizes Behind Closed Doors
Meanwhile, within the walls of Nigeria's oldest surviving political party, internal power plays are heating up. Multiple national dailies report that the PDP’s National Executive Council (NEC) has begun quiet consultations and private vetting of potential flagbearers for the 2027 general election.
Sources suggest that former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate heavyweight Bukola Saraki, and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi (now loosely affiliated with the Labour Party) are names being unofficially considered as the PDP explores the idea of a coalition or party comeback.
“The party must present a unifying candidate—someone who can bridge the gap between North and South, and appeal to both old loyalists and new voters,” said a senior PDP chieftain who spoke under condition of anonymity.
Though the PDP is yet to make any formal announcement, these deliberations come amid widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration’s economic and security performance, giving the opposition a potential opening.
Political Watchers Urge Transparency
Political observers are calling on all parties—not just the PDP—to be more transparent about their candidate selection processes ahead of 2027.
“The days of godfather politics are numbered. Nigerians want to see merit, vision, and integrity, not just backroom deals,” noted Dr. Musa Ayodele, a political analyst at the University of Lagos.
As Nigeria navigates increasing insecurity and a shifting political landscape, citizens and voters are watching closely to see how both challenges are addressed in the months ahead.
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