Abuja, Nigeria — Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has debunked rumors of a defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP and unveiling plans for a broad-based political coalition ahead of 2027.
The assurance came during a closed-door meeting with women members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), led by former Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Inna Ciroma, who visited Atiku in Abuja to discuss the party’s leadership crisis and chart a path forward.
“I am not leaving the PDP,” Atiku reportedly said, emphasizing that his focus is on building a pan-Nigerian coalition capable of unseating the APC and rescuing Nigeria’s democracy.
🤝 A Call for Unity, Not Exit
The former VP was said to have passionately addressed concerns about the PDP’s current disarray, calling the coalition movement not just political strategy but national necessity. He cited historical examples, such as the NPN-NPP accord during Nigeria’s Second Republic, to demonstrate the viability of inter-party collaboration.
“The PDP name will remain intact even if the coalition succeeds,” Atiku assured, noting that the movement includes leaders and stakeholders across party lines and regions.
👩👩👧 Mothers of the Party Speak Out
Speaking with Vanguard, Hajia Inna Ciroma explained the BoT women’s motivation for intervening in the crisis rocking the party.
“We, as mothers, are deeply disturbed by what is going on in our great party. There is no clear leadership, and an organisation without direction cannot survive,” she said.
She added that the group came to “brainstorm with Atiku on how to save the PDP from total collapse” and emphasized the importance of financial sustainability for the party’s independence.
“He discussed party funding and emphasized that no one individual should control the party’s finances,” Ciroma added.
⚖️ The Bigger Picture: 2027 and Beyond
Atiku stressed that the coalition effort is powered by Nigerians who are eager to reclaim and rebuild their country, indicating that the movement is gaining momentum beyond partisan affiliations.
While no formal coalition structure has been announced, political watchers believe that Atiku’s overtures could lead to the largest opposition alliance since the formation of the APC in 2013.
Stay tuned for more developments as the PDP navigates internal challenges and eyes a national comeback in 2027.
