Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the coalition train has already left the station for forward journey to 2027, indicating that is already late for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to halt it in its track.
The Daily Crucible reports that Governors elected on the platform of Nigeria’s main opposition party – the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), had on Monday, April 15, declared that PDP would not join any coalition or merger with any other political party or parties, thus putting an end to the nationwide speculations about being part of a possible merger of political parties, groups and/or associations in the country as being championed Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai
The PDP governors, however, said they would welcome any party, persons or groups willing to join them with a view to wrestling power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and enthroning good leadership in 2027.
The declaration formed part of their resolutions as contained in a communique issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital by the PDP Governors Forum after a meeting hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde and chaired by Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Governor, Bauchi State & Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum.
“Noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of political parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join it with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027,” the communique reads in part.
However, apparently reacting to the party governors’ rejection of any coalition or merger with any other political party or parties, Atiku said that the train would have multiple stops along the way to “bring on board Nigerians of all shades” in the push to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2027.
“Indeed, the Coalition Train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades,” Atiku wrote on his X handle yesterday.
This comment gives a hint of parting of ways between the former Presidential candidate and his political party in the unfolding build-up to the 2027 general elections.
He also hintef of likely dumping the PDP to realize his bid to contest the election.
Although, he did not name the entrenched interest, Atiku had contested for president two times on PDP platform and one time, using the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform.
He said: “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”.
The PDP National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dan Orbih blamed the party’s protracted crisis on an entrenched interest in contesting every presidential election without respecting the provisions of the PDP constitution.
But at a meeting with a delegation of the PDP from Nasarawa State, Atiku insisted that the merger train had already left the station.
The team was led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana and members of National Opinion Leaders, headed by Yusuf Sheriff Banki.
“Yesterday, I met with a delegation of two groups, during which I briefed them about the status of the pan-Nigerian coalition that I am building in conjunction with other leaders and stakeholders across political divides and regions.
“I informed them that the Nigerian Movement is being powered by Nigerians desirous of reclaiming and rebuilding their country from across the nooks and crannies of our country.
“First was the meeting with a delegation of the PDP from Nasarawa State, led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana, and a delegation of National Opinion leaders, led by Yusuf Sheriff Banki,” he added.
Atiku also warned them against being distracted by minor financial offers that could jeopardise their future.
He said leaders from various parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP, Labour Party (LP) and others, have been meeting to forge a new path towards a better Nigeria.
He referred to the initiative behind the coalition as “Sabuwar tafiya” in Hausa, translating to “a new pathway” in English.
Atiku, who was PDP presidential standard bearer in 2023 expressed optimism about announcing the coalition soon and appealed to the public to join the movement.
“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.
“And we have been meeting, and by the grace of God, very soon we will announce. We hope and we appeal to you all to be part of this movement.
“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.
“Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway.”
Wike not the problem
According to Orbih, blaming the crisis tearing the PDP apart on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike will amount to standing logic on its head.
He identified the real problem as those with entrenched interest in contesting every presidential election in flagrant disregard to the PDP constitution.
Orbih, also leader of the PDP Legacy Group in Edo, stated this while handing over the PDP new secretariat, he donated to the party on Wednesday in Benin.
He urged the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagun to initiate congresses that would bring in new leaders capable of repositioning the PDP and restoring its lost glory.
Orbih said: “PDP is a strong and formidable party, but it still has challenges that we cannot afford to ignore or sweep under the carpet.
“Wike is not the party’s problem. The real issue is those who want to run every time without following the party’s constitutional guidelines.
“We must put our differences aside and work with sincere party members to rebuild and reposition the PDP for future political battles ahead.
“People are mocking the PDP and asking where we are, but I tell you today, the PDP in Edo is fully back.”
But a former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Segun Adewale disagreed with Chief Olabode George, who said that another shot at the presidency by Atiku on PDP ticket will kill the party.
Adewale, who said it was wrong for anyone to say the emergence of Atiku would undermine the party’s victory in 2027, contended that the chances of the party would rather be affected by anti-party activities and selfishness of some party leaders.
. Additional report: The Nation
