2027: Atiku bloc defies PDP govs over coalition talks

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 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.

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.

The PDP had been grappling with internal crises since the 2023 elections, which worsened in December 2024 when a lower court declared Ude-Okoye as the party’s national secretary.

Following the ruling, the PDP Governors, Board of Trustees, and National Working Committee complied with the judgment and recognized Ude-Okoye in that role.

However, dissatisfied with the decision, Senator Samuel Anyanwu took the matter to the Supreme Court, which, on March 21, nullified his removal and ruled that internal party disputes are not subject to judicial intervention.

In their latest reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, the PDP Governors called on the South-East zone to put forward a nominee for the position.

Reading the communique, the Bauchi governor stated, “The forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba on the issue of the national secretary of the party, but in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment, the forum resolved to recommend that the deputy national secretary acts as national secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive secretary from the South-East zone and NEC respectively at its next meeting.

“The forum reasserts our collective determination to avert a rape of our constitutional democracy hence the decision of approaching the Supreme Court to give a clear cut verdict on the interpretation of the provisions of the law on the declaration of state of emergency in any state.

“The forum restates its solidarity with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on the ordeal into which his state and people are being plunged by the declaration of a state of emergency. And we reiterate our commitment to stand with him till the end.’’

The governors lamented the worsening security situation in the country, ‘’as evidenced in parts of the country especially Borno, Plateau, Katsina and Edo States.’’

The statement added, “The forum called for review and reordering of priorities and strategies, including adopting a bottom up template that guarantees the sub-nationals to constitute an effective line of defence against security breaches.

‘’While raising the concerns above, we condemn the recent attacks in Plateau State and commiserate with the government and people of the state, especially those who lost their lives and properties during this unfortunate mishap.”

Furthermore, the PDP governors proposed the  NEC meeting for May 27, to be followed by an early national convention in August, which would be hosted in Kano.

The statement added, “The forum resolves that working in conjunction with the National Working Committee and other relevant organs of the party, to hold a NEC meeting on the 27th of May, 2025; constitute a Zoning Committee that will address all issues relating to zoning of party offices and hold an early convention in August 2025, precisely on the 28th, 29th and 30th in the ancient city of Kano.

“The forum equally recommends the constitution of the Zoning and National Convention Committees for ratification by the NWC and NEC as follows: Zoning Committee: Gov. Douye Diri – Chairman; Gov. Dauda Lawal – Vice Chairman and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang – Secretary, while the National Convention Committee has Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri as Chairman; Gov. Ademola Adeleke as Vice Chairman and Gov. Peter Mbah as Secretary.”