The decision by governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shun a proposed opposition coalition has drawn sharp criticism from the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is leading the effort to unite opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku’s coalition has accused the PDP governors of acting as spoilers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and sabotaging attempts to rebuild a credible opposition. The coalition also alleged that the governors are usurping party structures and weakening internal democracy within the PDP.
The criticism follows a resolution by the PDP Governors’ Forum at its April 14 meeting, where it declared it would not join any coalition involving opposition political parties or groups.
Responding to this stance, spokesperson for the coalition, Salihu Moh. Lukman argued that the coalition represents a viable alternative to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu, and a critical step toward rescuing Nigeria’s democracy.
“For more than 10 years that the PDP had been out of power, Nigerians had waited for the party to dust itself up and provide the viable opposition that Nigeria needs,” Lukman said. “Instead, the party went into suspended animation until the rampaging Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to finally put it to rest. The governors know that the virus that afflicts the PDP has no cure. They are only grandstanding. They know that Nigerians cannot accept this PDP as the alternative because it is clear to all discerning Nigerians that the ruling party has hijacked its soul.”
He also took a swipe at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stating: “Nyesom Wike is the untouchable super minister in Asiwaju’s government not because of the sterling job he is doing in the FCT, but because he has done a great job of ensuring that the PDP is not able to present a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu for power in 2027.”
Lukman added that the coalition’s purpose has now evolved, alleging a new strategy by PDP governors to revive the party, only to counter the opposition coalition.
“The new agenda is to revive the PDP to stand as a counterforce to the coalition and present a candidate that would split the vote in 2027. This PDP Governors’ Forum is wittingly or unwittingly playing Asiwaju’s spoiler gam,e and they expect Nigerians to take them seriously,” he said.
He further stated that rebuilding public trust in democracy is at the core of the coalition’s mission and that the failure of institutions like the PDP only underscores the need for a broader opposition movement.
“The mere fact that the NEC meeting of the party has not been held for two years and no Nigerian can confidently tell who is really in charge of the party, is evidence of this collapse. This should be the concern of leaders of the party, including its governors,” Lukman said.
He accused the governors of sidelining the party’s internal organs and warned that without change, they will continue to weaken Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“As it is, all patriotic Nigerians who are committed to rescuing Nigerian democracy should recognise that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP, with many of its leaders operating as Trojan horses to the APC and President Tinubu’s government. It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of the APC Government or undercover supporters,” he said.
Lukman clarified that the coalition’s mission is not merely political but transformational.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the coalition is fundamentally about rebuilding Nigerian democracy. Leaders of the coalition recognise this and, more importantly, recognise all the challenges ahead,” he said. “Resolving these challenges and building the confidence of Nigerians is about restoring the value of political negotiations as critical and fundamental to guaranteeing the survival of democracy.”
He said discussions are ongoing, and the coalition will soon unveil its structure and agenda, urging all political actors, including PDP leaders, to join in rescuing Nigeria.
“This has not happened. However, even as the PDP governors and some leaders of PDP express opposition to joining the coalition, we extend hands of fellowship to all political actors in the country to join us to rescue Nigerian democracy,” he said.
We’ll Ride Any Vehicle That Guarantees Good Governance — Atiku
Speaking in a related development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reaffirmed that the opposition coalition he is championing will use any platform that can deliver good governance and defeat President Tinubu in 2027.
Atiku made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation of National Opinion Leaders. A video of the meeting was later shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
“The coalition train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades,” Atiku said.
He urged the youth-led delegation to stay focused and reject short-term inducements that could derail long-term goals.
“Don’t be disrupted by people giving you pennies or kobos here and there, and nairas here and there, and then abandon your future, and the future of your children,” he said.
“Now, because of that, that’s why a number of us leaders from the parties I have mentioned—APC, PDP, Labour, and others—have come together to say we are going to have what I call in Hausa Sabuwar tafiya, which in English means a new path, a new pathway to a new Nigeria.”
He added that mobilisation is underway and called on Nigerians to support the initiative.
“Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren, that is the vehicle we are going to ride on,” he said.
PDP Governors Fire Back, Call Coalition Delusional
In a sharp rebuttal, the PDP Governors’ Forum dismissed the coalition’s accusations, labelling its promoters as delusional.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Director-General of the PDPGF, Dr. Agbo Emmanuel, said: “The PDP governors cannot dignify such over the bloated image of some self-delusional characters with an unbridled sense of entitlement with any response.”
