The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has distanced itself from a new coalition of opposition figures led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The party’s decision apparently signalled internal discord and deepening uncertainty within the party ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Rising from a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, the Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, declared that it has no plans to join any alliance for now. This comes following Atiku’s recent announcement of a coalition involving political heavyweights such as Peter Obi of the Labour Party and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The PDP governors also waded into the growing leadership crisis within the party by endorsing Setonji Koshoedo, the Deputy National Secretary, as Acting National Secretary, a move likely to spark further internal rifts.
The coalition, which Atiku claims is aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027, has drawn interest and controversy. El-Rufai, who recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has been vocal in his criticism of Tinubu’s leadership, accusing the APC of abandoning internal democracy.
SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo, added fuel to the fire by confirming that talks are underway to bring Atiku and Obi into the SDP fold.
According to him, if they adapt to the SDP’s ideology, they could form a formidable force capable of ending APC’s reign.
