The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most influential political parties. It was established in 1998, just before Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democracy in 1999. As a broad-based coalition of former military leaders, technocrats, and political elites, the PDP quickly became the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.

For 16 consecutive years, the PDP ruled Nigeria (1999–2015), producing presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan. Its founding ideals were rooted in national unity, democratic governance, economic liberalism, and social equity. While the PDP helped stabilise democracy in the early years, it faced growing criticism over corruption, weak governance, and cronyism, which led to its eventual loss in 2015.

Today, the PDP remains a formidable opposition with a strong nationwide structure and appeal, particularly in the South-East, South-South, and parts of the North-Central.

The party’s manifesto for the upcoming 2023 general election is as follows:

• Vision:
  A market-driven economy with social equity.
• Economic Plan:
  SME development, diversified economy, foreign investment attraction.
• Security:
  Judicial independence, stronger law enforcement, and community policing.
• Education:
  A minimum of 15% of the federal budget for education, universal basic education.
• Health:
  Free healthcare for pregnant women and children under five, expanded immunisation.
• Anti-Corruption:
  Transparency and accountability in governance.
• Infrastructure:
  Private-sector-led development, large-scale power and transport projects.
• Social Welfare:
  Targeted poverty alleviation through economic empowerment.
• Federalism:
  Emphasis on power rotation and geopolitical balancing.