2027: PDP Governors Distance Themselves from Atiku-Led Opposition Coalition

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has formally distanced itself from a proposed opposition coalition spearheaded by former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Rising from a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, the Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, declared that the PDP would not be part of any political alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governors also waded into the internal leadership crisis rocking the party by backing Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, as the Acting National Secretary—a move likely to further deepen division within the party’s national leadership.

The decision comes in the wake of Atiku’s recent announcement of a grand coalition involving key opposition figures, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The alliance, according to Atiku, is aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

El-Rufai, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), had accused the APC of abandoning internal democracy since President Tinubu assumed office. His defection was followed by reports suggesting that he, Atiku, and Obi were considering a strategic realignment under the SDP platform.

Supporting this narrative, former SDP presidential candidate Adewale Adebayo confirmed that talks were ongoing to welcome Atiku, Obi, and other prominent politicians into the party. He asserted that with unity and adherence to the party’s principles, the coalition could “defeat and retire” Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

Meanwhile, Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), claimed that El-Rufai was acting as a placeholder for Atiku within the SDP, in case the PDP denied Atiku its 2027 presidential ticket.

The unfolding developments highlight increasing political realignments and intra-party tensions as Nigeria heads toward another critical election cycle.