A political storm is brewing ahead of the 2027 general elections as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clash over the prospect of an opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The tension follows a resolution by the PDP Governors’ Forum during its meeting on April 14, where it distanced itself from any coalition involving opposition political parties, politicians, or groups.
This decision has not gone down well with the coalition leaders, who view the governors’ stance as a betrayal of opposition unity.
Reacting to the PDP governors’ decision, the spokesman of the anti-Tinubu coalition, Salihu Moh. Lukman, accused the governors of playing the role of spoilers for President Tinubu and undermining efforts to rescue Nigeria’s democracy.
“For more than 10 years that the PDP has been out of power, Nigerians waited for it to provide a viable opposition. Instead, it went into suspended animation until the Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to put it to rest,” Lukman stated.
He alleged that some PDP leaders are actively sabotaging the party from within. He cited the example of former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, now a minister in Tinubu’s administration, saying his influence ensures the PDP remains incapable of challenging the presidency in 2027.
According to Lukman, the coalition’s goal is to restore democratic values and rebuild public trust, not merely to defeat the APC. He criticized the PDP’s internal dysfunction, and highlighted the fact that its National Executive Committee (NEC) has not met in two years as evidence of its collapse.
Speaking in support of the coalition, Atiku Abubakar reiterated his commitment to forging a united opposition front. He stated that the coalition would consider “any platform that ensures good governance” in its mission to remove Tinubu from power in 2027.
Atiku made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of National Opinion Leaders. He emphasized the coalition’s inclusive vision, saying, “The coalition train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades.”
He urged Nigerian youths not to be distracted by short-term gains and called on them to join what he described as Sabuwar Tafiya; a new pathway to a better Nigeria.
“Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren, that is the vehicle we are going to ride on,” Atiku declared.
In a swift response, the PDP governors dismissed the coalition and its criticism as delusional.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, the Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Dr Agbo Emmanuel, said:
“The PDP governors cannot dignify the bloated image of some self-delusional characters with an unbridled sense of entitlement with any response.”