ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reiterated that the only viable path to unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election is through a coalition of opposition parties.
His statement came in response to the position of 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who, during a meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, in Ibadan, ruled out any coalition or merger with other political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, emphasized that while the party is open to collaboration with individuals and groups who share its vision of good leadership, it would not join any coalition.
Governor Mohammed’s remarks rejected Atiku’s push for a unified opposition front, which has garnered increasing attention as opposition leaders discuss strategies to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku, who has previously expressed his intent to run for president in 2027, was quick to defend the coalition idea, stressing the need for opposition unity.
In a response issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku argued that the governors’ refusal to support the coalition initiative highlights the necessity of further consultation within the party.
“The governors are key stakeholders of any party, not just the PDP. They are important, as are all other stakeholders, including ordinary Nigerians,” Atiku said.
“The coalition is a pan-Nigerian movement and project.”
Atiku emphasized that the idea of opposition unity was not a coincidence, referencing internal polling conducted at the start of his coalition efforts that showed significant support for a united opposition movement.
He noted that the coalition’s momentum had already begun, and while the governors’ decision was a setback, it would not derail the broader movement.
“I believe when the governors, or some of them, realize that this is a project with its own momentum, they will align properly,” he added.
The governors’ communiqué also touched on the PDP’s internal issues, including the contested national secretary position.
After a Supreme Court ruling in March 2025, the party’s leadership has agreed to appoint the deputy national secretary as acting national secretary until a substantive secretary is nominated from the South-East and ratified at the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
The PDP Governors’ Forum also expressed concern over the state of security in Nigeria, particularly in states like Borno, Plateau, Katsina, and Edo, and called for a review of national security strategies.
In addition, they proposed a NEC meeting for May 27, followed by an early national convention in August 2025, which will be held in Kano.
