Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has insisted that a coalition remains the only way to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Atiku argued against the position of 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who distanced the party from the proposed coalition being championed by the former vice president.
Rising from their meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, announced that the party would not participate in any coalition or merger.
On March 20, Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the PDP, alongside the former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced the creation of a coalition aimed at defeating President Tinubu in the 2027 poll.
The announcement has sparked growing debate, with stakeholders differing on the coalition’s viability.
According to The PUNCH, Atiku, who is believed to be interested in running for president in 2027, has been a strong proponent of opposition unity, stressing the need for collaboration.
On March 8, he shared his efforts to bring together opposition groups and form a coalition to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress.
But reading the communiqué on behalf of the 11 PDP governors, the Bauchi State governor stated that instead of joining any coalition, the party, as a major opposition force, would welcome any party, individuals, or groups willing to join it in the pursuit of reclaiming power and establishing good leadership in 2027.
He stated, “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.
“However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join it with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.”
In response to the governors’ rejection of the coalition, Atiku, while describing the state helmsmen as key leaders of the PDP, emphasized that the movement already belongs to the people and is a pan-Nigerian initiative.
Speaking to The PUNCH through his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Monday, Atiku noted that the governors’ decision highlighted the necessity for broader consultation.
He noted, “The governors are key stakeholders of any party, not just the PDP. They are important, as are all other stakeholders, including ordinary Nigerians. The coalition is a pan-Nigerian movement and project.
“At the start of this journey, we conducted internal polling, which indicated that this was the path we should take to redeem Nigeria and reclaim it from these marauders.
“Therefore, it was no coincidence that we are travelling this route. I believe it’s still early days, and there will be alignments and realignments. I believe that when the governors, or some of them, realize that this is a project with its own momentum and a time that has come, they will align properly.
“This is not a setback. It calls for dialogue, but it is not a setback at all. The project continues. As I mentioned, this is a pan-Nigerian movement – a Nigerian project with Nigerians at its heart. It’s difficult to derail something when the people have taken ownership of it.
“That doesn’t diminish the importance of the governors; they are still very important. But Nigerians are also critical, and this project means a great deal to them in their quest to save their country.”
Addressing the controversy surrounding the party’s national secretary position, Governor Mohammed said the PDP leaders reaffirmed their earlier stance taken in Asaba, Delta State, recognising a former National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, as the national secretary.
However, he clarified that following the Supreme Court ruling, the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, will serve in an acting capacity until a substantive secretary is nominated from the South-East Zone and ratified by the National Executive Committee at its next meeting.
