Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has restated his commitment to building a broad coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, defying the position of 11 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors who have publicly rejected any merger or alliance outside the party.
The governors, under the PDP Governors’ Forum and led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, met in Ibadan on Monday and resolved that the PDP would not join any coalition or merger. Instead, they called on individuals and groups interested in rescuing Nigeria to join the PDP rather than create new alliances.
“The PDP will not enter any coalition or merger,” Mohammed said. “But the party welcomes those willing to join us in reclaiming power and restoring good governance in 2027.”
The governors’ position comes weeks after Atiku, alongside former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced the formation of a coalition aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.
Reacting through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku described the coalition as a “pan-Nigerian movement” driven by ordinary citizens. He acknowledged the governors’ importance but stressed that the initiative already had widespread grassroots backing.
“This movement is not about individual ambition but a national project to rescue Nigeria,” Atiku said. “It’s early days. Realignments will happen. The project is beyond party lines—it belongs to the people.”
The disagreement highlights ongoing divisions within the PDP, which has faced internal turmoil since the 2023 elections.
On the issue of the party’s National Secretary, the governors reaffirmed their earlier endorsement of Sunday Ude-Okoye. However, in light of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified Ude-Okoye’s removal, they resolved that Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo will serve in acting capacity until a new nominee from the South-East is ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
The court had ruled that internal party matters were not for judicial intervention, effectively reinstating Ude-Okoye, whose removal was challenged by Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Addressing national security, the governors condemned recent attacks in states such as Plateau, Borno, Edo, and Katsina, urging a rethinking of current security strategies. They called for stronger collaboration with sub-national governments to better protect citizens.
The forum also announced plans to hold a NEC meeting on May 27, followed by the party’s national convention on August 28–30 in Kano. Governor Douye Diri was named Chair of the Zoning Committee, while Governor Ahmadu Fintiri will lead the National Convention Committee.
They reaffirmed support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his ongoing political crisis and rejected any move to impose a state of emergency on the state.
