- Atiku Abubakar stressed that a coalition, transcending party lines, is the only way to unseat President Tinubu in 2027, despite opposition from 11 PDP governors
- While PDP governors ruled out any merger, Atiku's coalition movement continues to gain grassroots support, including from figures like Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai
- The PDP governors also addressed the leadership crisis, reaffirming support for Sunday Ude-Okoye and clarifying the acting role of Setonji Koshoedo
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, has maintained that forming a coalition remains the most viable strategy to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku’s position comes in direct contrast to that of 11 PDP governors, who, at a meeting in Ibadan on Monday, April 14, ruled out any coalition or merger.
Chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the PDP Governors’ Forum insisted the party would instead welcome individuals or groups to join the PDP, rather than merge with others.
“Noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of political parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger,” Mohammed said, adding that the party remains open to new entrants.
Atiku, however, stressed that the coalition initiative already enjoys grassroots support and transcends party lines.
Through his media aide, Paul Ibe, the former vice president said that the movement is a “pan-Nigerian project” driven by ordinary citizens and aimed at rescuing the country.
“This is not a setback. It calls for dialogue, but it is not a setback at all. The project continues,” Atiku affirmed.
The coalition effort, which includes political figures such as former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, was publicly announced in March and has since sparked widespread political debate.
PDP leadership crisis lingers
Meanwhile, the governors addressed the lingering controversy over the party’s national secretary position. They reaffirmed support for Sunday Ude-Okoye, but noted that, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo would serve in an acting capacity until a replacement is nominated from the South-East and ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s removal was an internal party matter, effectively nullifying the lower court’s decision that recognised Ude-Okoye.
The ruling has added to existing tensions within the PDP following its disappointing performance in the 2023 elections.
We remain strong, defectors will return, PDP forum predicts
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Forum of Former Speakers has forecasted the return of several politicians who left the party in recent years to join other political platforms.
The forum reiterated that the PDP remains the most widely accepted, well-organised, and best-positioned party to tackle Nigeria's challenges.
