PDP CONSIDERS COALITION, SETS CONDITIONS FOR ATIKU, PETER OBI, EL-RUFAI
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is weighing the possibility of joining a coalition of opposition parties aiming to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. However, the party has yet to make a formal decision on the matter, and insiders have indicated that any partnership must not compromise the PDP’s core values and identity.
Despite its significant history in Nigerian politics, having governed the country for 16 years before the APC’s rise to power in 2015, the PDP remains cautious about its next steps. While the party has not officially endorsed the emerging coalition, there is a general openness to collaboration, provided the PDP’s principles are maintained.
Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, has publicly confirmed his participation in the opposition alliance. In a recent press conference with other opposition leaders, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Atiku affirmed that the coalition would serve as the main opposition bloc against the APC in the upcoming 2027 election.
Despite Atiku’s endorsement, there is still uncertainty within the PDP regarding his exact role in the coalition. Party officials have called for further clarification on his decision, especially considering his history of departing and rejoining the party—having previously left the PDP in 2007 to join Tinubu’s Action Congress (AC) and again in 2013 to help found the APC. As one party member explained, Atiku’s participation in the coalition is seen as part of a strategic move to unify opposition forces, but his future alignment with the PDP remains unclear.
While some PDP members support the idea of joining the coalition to confront the APC, others, including prominent figures such as former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and PDP elder statesman Bode George, have strongly rejected the notion of leaving the party. Lamido criticized El-Rufai’s call for defections and reiterated his loyalty to the PDP, emphasizing that the party was responsible for his political career. George, too, dismissed rumors of defection, affirming his commitment to the PDP’s cause.
As the 2027 elections approach, the PDP is faced with a critical decision: whether to join the opposition coalition or stand alone, all while safeguarding its political identity.
