Onanuga: Atiku a “Loser” as PDP defections shatter 2027 coalition dreams

The political landscape in Nigeria has witnessed a significant shift, with President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, delivering a scathing assessment of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s political standing.

Onanuga’s remarks come amidst a wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a development he believes has effectively shattered Atiku’s ambitions for a coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exodus from the PDP has been particularly impactful, with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who notably served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

These high-profile defections have dealt a significant blow to the PDP’s strength and have fueled speculation about the party’s future.

Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, Onanuga did not hold back in his assessment of Atiku’s political fortunes.

He asserted that the former Vice President’s coalition plans for the 2027 election had effectively disintegrated, with potential allies distancing themselves. “Atiku’s political future looks bleak.

The coalition that he, El Rufai, Babachir, and new member Baba-Ahmed are cobbling together has disintegrated,” Onanuga stated in his post.

He further emphasized the growing isolation of Atiku, claiming that key figures, including his former running mate Ifeanyi Okowa and members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), were “giving his leprous group a wide berth.” Onanuga concluded his post with a stark declaration: “Atiku is a loser again.”

ALSO READ : Baba Ahmed: A Return to Familiar Turf, a Return to Familiar Voice?

The defections of Governors Oborevwori and Okowa carry significant weight, particularly given Okowa’s close association with Atiku during the 2023 election.

Their departure from the PDP underscores the party’s internal challenges and raises questions about its ability to maintain its position as a formidable opposition force.

Onanuga’s comments reflect the growing confidence within the APC camp, as they witness the erosion of support for their main political rival.

The disintegration of Atiku’s coalition plans represents a major setback for his political ambitions and signals a potential shift in the balance of power ahead of the 2027 elections.

The political ramifications of these defections and Onanuga’s comments are likely to reverberate throughout the Nigerian political landscape in the coming months, as parties strategize and position themselves for the next electoral cycle.