Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has maintained that forming a coalition is the only realistic way to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, despite opposition from governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, after a meeting in Ibadan on Monday, publicly declared that the party would not enter any coalition or merger arrangement ahead of the next presidential election.
Recall that on March 20, Atiku, alongside former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, unveiled a new opposition alliance aimed at unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in 2027.
The move has since stirred nationwide reactions, with many political observers questioning the feasibility of the alliance, while others see it as a step towards rescuing Nigeria.
Despite the resistance from within his party, Atiku continues to push for unity among opposition forces, saying Nigeria’s current challenges require joint efforts by all well-meaning stakeholders.
Governor Mohammed, while reading the communiqué on behalf of the 11 PDP governors, clarified that while the PDP will not merge with any party, it remains open to welcoming individuals, parties, or groups willing to join forces under its platform to reclaim power in 2027.
According to him: “Noting the widespread speculation on mergers or coalitions, the Forum resolved that the PDP will not enter any such arrangement. However, as a leading opposition party, we welcome others willing to join us to rescue the nation and provide quality leadership.”
Reacting to the development, Atiku, through his media aide, Paul Ibe, described the governors as key leaders within the PDP but stressed that the coalition drive is a broader national initiative that belongs to Nigerians across party lines.
He stated: “The governors are important stakeholders, but so are other Nigerians. This coalition is a people-driven project. Internal assessments guided us in choosing this path, and it reflects the people’s desire for change.”
Atiku added that while some may not yet align with the vision, the movement is gaining traction and will continue to evolve with time.
“This is not a setback, but a call for further dialogue. Nigerians are taking ownership of this movement, and that makes it difficult to derail. The governors remain relevant, but this initiative is about the collective will of the people,” he said.
