Politics

PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027

Published

1 month ago

March 23, 2025

Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi

PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027

Although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hasn’t made its official position known on the coalition being put together by some key leaders of the opposition to wrestle power from the ruling party at the federal level, All Progressives Congress (APC), and President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027, Sunday Vanguard understands that the PDP may join forces with them on one condition: The process will not lead to its loss of identity.

The PDP was in power for 16 years before the APC dislodged it from the Presidential Villa in 2015 when then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan lost reelection to former President Buhari.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, had, last week, announced his decision to join the coalition with other members of opposition parties to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Atiku was responding to a call by a former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam El-Rufai, to key members of opposition parties in the country to come together and fight Tinubu and APC in 2027.

El-Rufai had made the call while dumping the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In his response, the former PDP presidential candidate confirmed that he, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, and El-Rufai, among others, had kick-started a movement aimed at defeating Tinubu’s APC in the 2027 elections.

He spoke at a press conference organized by Nigeria’s key opposition leaders and political stakeholders to discuss the President’s controversial declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.

When journalists asked whether the emerging coalition would be the major opposition force against the APC in 2027, Atiku did not mince words.
“Yes,” he declared.

Clarity

Sources within the PDP told Sunday Vanguard at the weekend that the party will expect the former presidential candidate to give clarity to his decision soon.

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A member of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter was “yet to be discussed at the official level,” said, “We expect him to shed more light on his decision as we proceed.

“For now, he is still a high ranking member of our party the PDP.

“We have been following his public statements and engagements and he hasn’t announced to anyone that he is leaving or has left our party.

“Yes, he left the party on two previous occasions over the past two decades -first to join Tinubu’s Action Congress (AC) to contest the 2007 presidential election; and in 2013 or thereabouts to join others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Note, however, that on each of these occasions he returned to the PDP.

“Now, whether he is planning to leave to join others or he wants others to come join us to beat the APC rigging machine in 2027, only he can explain. “For now, from my interactions with members of his team, one thing is clear, this time around, Atiku’s move is a strategic step towards unifying opposition forces against the ruling APC.

‘Significant shift’

“His announcement of the formation of a coalition signals a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, as opposition leaders seek to present a united front against the current administration.

“The proposed coalition is expected to bring together key political parties and stakeholders, including prominent figures like Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“It’s worth noting that Atiku’s decision might not be universally accepted within the PDP, as some members may have different opinions on the best strategy to challenge the APC in 2027.

“Nevertheless, Atiku’s move demonstrates his commitment to opposing the current administration and his willingness to work with other opposition parties to achieve this goal.”

Identity

The party chieftain further explained that a majority of leaders and members of the PDP are resolute in their desire to ensure that the party retains its identity.

According to him, a former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, spoke the minds of most leaders and members of the PDP when he dismissed El-Rufai’s call to dump the party and join the SDP.

Lamido said in an interview, “The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP.

“He (El-Rufai) once said that there are no elders in Nigerian politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”

Lamido equally questioned El-Rufai’s motive for dumping the APC for the SDP and his motivation for seeking power.

“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole”, he said.

While restating his loyalty to the PDP, Lamido said the party which he helped to form hasn’t done anything wrong to warrant him leaving to join another.

His views resonated with another leader and foundation member of the PDP, Chief Bode George, who has told whoever cares to listen that he is in the PDP to stay.

PDP gives condition to back Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai in 2027

Vanguard

Related Topics:2027 Atiku El Rufai Featured Obi PDP

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2027: We’ll support Tinubu, Bayelsa PDP chair tells Gov Diri

Published

3 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri

2027: We’ll support Tinubu, Bayelsa PDP chair tells Gov Diri

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the South South zonal Secretary and caretaker chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, George Turnah, has insisted that the party will support President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), even if the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, does not.

The PDP Zonal leader said almost all the governors from South-South supported Tinubu, irrespective of their party affiliations.

Turnah, who is the lead convener of the New Associates, a pro-Wike group inaugurated in Bayelsa State over the weekend, also called on Governor Diri to immediately declare where he stands.

He said he decided to organize last Saturday’s rally in Yenagoa to thank President Bola Tinubu for appointing sons and daughters of the Niger Delta.

He said: “I want to formally call on Governor Douye Diri to immediately announce his stand regarding the 2027 presidency, so that Bayelsans can know where they stand.

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“If he is supporting President Tinubu, he should come out and tell us. But if he wants to align with other candidates, let him say so. Then we will know whether to follow him or not. The leader who has openly declared support for President Tinubu is Nyesom Wike. If our governor comes tomorrow and says he supports Tinubu, we will work with him. If he says otherwise, we will galvanize support for Tinubu ourselves.

“In 2019, the Southern Governors met in Asaba and agreed that power should return to the South. Despite that agreement, some decided to act otherwise. But in all, Tinubu from Southern Nigeria became President.

“Tinubu is not from my party, PDP, but once a leader is elected, he becomes the President of Nigeria, and we must support our leader.

“Opposition is not about plotting for leaders to fail. If a leader succeeds, the people benefit. Opposition should uphold leaders to deliver for the people. If a leader is performing, there should be no rush to remove him. When the time comes, PDP will make its decisions.”

2027: We’ll support Tinubu, Bayelsa PDP chair tells Gov Diri

Politics

Wike, Bode George, PDP govs working for Tinubu’s 2nd term – APC chieftain

Published

10 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Wike, Bode George, PDP govs working for Tinubu’s 2nd term – APC chieftain

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples’ Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has suggested that the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike; Chief Bode George; and some PDP governors may be working behind the scenes to influence President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

In a statement released to newsmen in Port-Harcourt on Sunday, Eze, the former spokesperson of the defunct nPDP, pointed to recent statements by Wike, Bode George, and the PDP governors, which he believes may indicate support for Tinubu’s re-election despite the challenges Nigerians are facing under the current APC administration.

Eze also noted that if Atiku Abubakar had chosen Wike as his vice-presidential candidate in 2023, Wike would have worked towards securing Atiku’s election as president. He added, “For Atiku to have listened to me and many other patriotic Nigerians in rejecting Wike as his vice president, he has done a great relief both to his life and that of Nigerians.”

Rather than focusing on forming a coalition, Eze emphasized that the Tinubu administration should prioritize effective governance that will directly benefit Nigerians and improve the economy, rather than focusing solely on the 2027 elections.

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In response to Chief Bode George’s comments that the PDP would be “finally buried” if Atiku secures the party’s presidential nomination, Eze suggested that Nigerians should carefully consider George’s views. He questioned who in the PDP, besides Atiku, could mount a serious challenge to a well-coordinated figure like Tinubu.

Eze also pointed to challenges faced by the PDP and Labour Party in Lagos during the 2023 general elections and expressed concerns that George might attempt to influence the 2027 elections in a similar manner.

Regarding the PDP governors, Eze suggested that their goal may be to either prevent the party from presenting a viable presidential candidate in 2027, or to field a candidate who might struggle to gain significant support.

Eze stressed that opposition parties need to unite and form a strong platform to challenge the APC in 2027. He also supported Atiku’s assertion that a coalition is crucial to unseating President Bola Tinubu.

In response to the PDP Governors’ Forum, which distanced itself from the coalition proposal, Eze remarked, “The position of the PDP governors highlights systemic challenges in leadership. It is now clear that some of the PDP governors are prioritizing personal interests over addressing the impact of current administration policies on Nigerians.”

Eze concluded by challenging the PDP governors, asking, “If opposition parties and blocs do not unite, how can the APC be dislodged in 2027?” He urged the governors to reconsider their strategies.

Politics

Tinubu smashes opposition, four more PDP govs set to decamp

Published

1 day ago

April 27, 2025

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu smashes opposition, four more PDP govs set to decamp

President Bola Tinubu’s determined push to weaken opposition ranks appears to be yielding results, with strong indications that four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors are set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fresh investigation has revealed that Tinubu, long on the defensive against opposition attacks, has intensified efforts to consolidate power by targeting key figures in rival parties. His moves, insiders said, triggered the current wave of high-profile defections.

While sources within the APC and the Presidency attributed the looming defections to Tinubu’s aggressive political strategy, some opposition figures have accused the President of using inducements and blackmail to lure defectors. The president’s allies, on the other hand, have argued that his leadership style has made the APC increasingly attractive.

Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Abba Yusuf (Kano), and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been named as the next big catches for the ruling party.

“It is not a rumour. It is happening; those four governors – Eno, Mbah, Yusuf and Fubara — are on their way to joining the APC,” a senior party source confirmed.

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Officials at the APC national secretariat in Abuja also corroborated the development, pointing to an aggressive recruitment drive spearheaded by the President and top party leaders.

The anticipated defections come on the heels of last Wednesday’s surprise defection by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire PDP structure in the state to the APC. Their move was announced by Senator James Manager after a six-hour meeting at the Government House in Asaba.

Meanwhile, concerns have emerged over the tactics allegedly employed to secure these defections. A senior source cited the alleged Tinubu’s secret meeting with Fubara in London as a possible example of backroom pressure. The meeting reportedly took place at Fubara’s request following his suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

A source familiar with the situation said, “It was at that meeting that we believed Fubara must have been coaxed into considering the idea of defection as part of the arrangement to return his mandate. We also have reasons to suspect that Governor Eno’s potential move to the APC is linked to his predecessor and godfather’s alleged corruption case with the EFCC.”

Regarding Kano, the source stated that Tinubu had intensified reconciliation efforts between former Governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Rabiu Kwankwaso to pave the way for Yusuf’s defection.

“In the coming days, the news of Abba Yusuf’s defection will be made public because he will officially move to the APC with his mentor. We all know Kano is too big a state for Tinubu to ignore politically,” he added.