ABUJA — In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 presidential election, key leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, are reportedly on their way out of the party. This was revealed in a communiqué issued shortly after an emergency meeting of Concerned PDP Leaders held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday.
The closed-door meeting, which lasted several hours, was attended by former governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), as well as other prominent party figures. The group expressed deep disappointment over the worsening state of the PDP, citing internal disarray and failure of leadership following the 2023 elections.
The communiqué lamented that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which “came into being on the back of false and evil propaganda to save Nigeria from PDP, has now become a disaster to our nation.” The leaders argued that “all indices of development that support the comfort and quality of life of the citizens have collapsed, and life is now hell in Nigeria.”
Coalition Picks ADC as Political Platform to Battle APC
Rising from the meeting, the Concerned PDP Leaders confirmed widespread speculations that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been adopted as the political platform for their coalition. This move follows months of deliberation and consultations with other opposition parties and stakeholders.
Sources close to the coalition revealed that while some PDP chieftains would officially defect to the ADC, others intend to technically remain within the PDP but will work for the ADC’s presidential candidate in 2027. An insider disclosed, “We discussed the state of PDP and realised the party can no longer effectively lead the opposition. We agreed to form a personal alliance with ADC.”
The communiqué, signed by former Senate President David Mark, outlined the coalition’s immediate priorities. These include mobilizing Nigerians to reclaim the nation from the APC-led administration, uniting on issues of national security, economic recovery, anti-corruption, and democratic stability.
APC Fires Back: ‘Coalition Dead on Arrival’
Reacting swiftly, the All Progressives Congress dismissed the opposition’s coalition as irrelevant and incapable of posing any real threat to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the movement as “dead on arrival,” accusing the coalition leaders of pursuing selfish interests rather than national development.
“The fact that they are meeting in hotels without fear shows the APC government has improved security. Power supply has improved. Freedom of association has been enhanced under APC. Yet, these people are gathering not to offer solutions but to fight for relevance,” Ibrahim stated.
He added confidently that President Tinubu would defeat them collectively in 2027, just as he did in the last election. “The coalition is a waste of time. It won’t scare the APC. They are only gathering for selfish purposes,” he emphasized.
PDP Collapse: Leaders Lament APC’s Threats, PDP’s Failures
In their strongly worded communiqué, the Concerned PDP Leaders did not spare their own party, blaming the PDP’s internal leadership crisis for its diminished status as Nigeria’s main opposition force. They pointed to the exit of former National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as a key factor that plunged the party into chaos.
“The inability of the PDP leadership to lead by its constitution and rules has turned it into a chaotic and undisciplined party. The vision of the founding fathers has been abandoned. Nigeria, once a regional leader under PDP’s stewardship, is now a weakened nation and an international embarrassment,” the statement read.
The leaders also accused the APC government of weaponizing state institutions to stifle democracy through threats, blackmail, and patronage, which they claim forced many PDP-elected officials to defect to the ruling party.
Nigeria at a Crossroads: Will the Coalition Hold?
The unfolding political drama comes amid Nigeria’s deepening economic hardship and growing insecurity, factors that opposition leaders argue have made life “hell” for ordinary Nigerians. However, the ability of the new coalition to mount an effective challenge in 2027 remains uncertain, given the persistent internal divisions within the PDP, Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
This latest coalition effort mirrors an earlier move in March when opposition figures, including Atiku, LP’s Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, met in Abuja to discuss forming a united front against Tinubu.
The coalition is expected to be formally unveiled with Senator David Mark serving as interim chairman. Whether this new alignment can overcome the political and structural challenges that fractured previous opposition coalitions remains to be seen. Nigerians are watching closely as the countdown to 2027 begins.
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