PDP governors disown opposition, declare non-participation in 2027 alliance

In a strategic move that underscores growing divisions within Nigeria’s opposition ranks, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has formally distanced itself from the recently unveiled opposition coalition spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, announced its decision following a closed-door meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the PDP governors declared unequivocally that they would not be part of any pre-2027 presidential election alliance.

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“The Forum is committed to strengthening the PDP from within and will not be drawn into any coalition arrangements at this time,” the governors stated, signaling a significant crack in the anticipated united front against President Bola Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development comes days after Atiku Abubakar publicly launched a broad-based opposition alliance aimed at unseating Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. The coalition is rumored to include prominent political figures such as former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.

El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), accused the ruling party of lacking internal democracy since President Tinubu assumed office.

His defection is widely seen as a strategic alignment with the new opposition bloc.

Further fueling speculation, former SDP presidential candidate Adewale Adebayo confirmed that both Atiku and Obi are in talks to join the SDP, adding that if the political heavyweights can adhere to the party’s principles, they could successfully dislodge the APC in 2027.

“If they embrace the SDP’s ideology and structure, we can retire Tinubu and his party,” Adebayo asserted.

However, the PDP governors appear unconvinced by this proposition.

In a move that may deepen the internal crisis within the party, the Forum threw its weight behind Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo as the Acting National Secretary, effectively dismissing any other claims to the position and escalating the ongoing leadership tussle in the party.

Meanwhile, Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), alleged that Nasir El-Rufai is merely acting as a placeholder for Atiku within the SDP, anticipating that the PDP might deny Atiku its 2027 presidential ticket.

With tensions rising across opposition parties and strategic realignments in full swing, the road to the 2027 elections is shaping up to be a turbulent one, as each political bloc jostles for dominance and legitimacy.