The PDP leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark, met behind closed doors in Abuja, pointing to possible big political changes ahead of the 2027 elections.
The private meeting, which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, was led by Senator David Mark and attended by several top figures in the PDP. Those present included former National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus and past governors Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Sam Egwu of Ebonyi, Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun, and Senator Abdul Ningi. Others who joined the talks were former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, ex-Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, former Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira.
The meeting was part of a broader effort to build a united political front that could challenge President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated second-term bid. According to people familiar with the discussion, the talks focused on whether major PDP figures should remain in the party while forming a wider coalition or move fully into a new alliance.
Sources said the party leaders are considering serious steps toward a realignment. “Several members of the PDP are already in dialogue with key figures in the coalition. A formal announcement could come as early as tomorrow,” a source told Vanguard.
Some party insiders have raised concerns about Atiku Abubakar’s likely interest in running again for president. According to the source, “It is increasingly clear that some factions are not comfortable with Atiku contesting again. Their fear is that he could win, which would mean a return to the North before the South completes its turn.”
Despite internal opposition, Atiku remains determined to press forward. His stance appears to have drawn support from several important party members, many of whom were present at the meeting. “This is just the tip of the iceberg. Many others who are sympathetic to Atiku’s position couldn’t attend but are watching closely. This meeting may signal the beginning of a new political movement,” another insider noted.
The communique released after the gathering blamed the APC-led government for applying pressure tactics that caused elected PDP members to switch sides. “The heatwave unleashed by the APC Federal Government through threats, blackmail and patronage has forced elected officers in government to abandon the PDP,” they observed.
It also addressed the PDP’s troubles since its loss in the 2023 presidential election and the resignation of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman. “Since our loss in the last presidential election and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, our dear Party has never been the same again,” the communique stated.
The statement said the APC has used government institutions to disrupt democracy and that the PDP’s failure to follow its own rules has led to chaos within the party. “The inability of PDP leadership to lead the Party by its Constitution, rules and regulations led it into a chaotic and undisciplined Party,” the leaders lamented.
According to the communique, Nigeria’s reputation has also declined under APC leadership. “Painfully, Nigeria is now a diminished country and an embarrassment on the world stage,” it declared.
The attendees also discussed key national issues such as the economy, national unity, security, and corruption. They said the APC has failed the country and urged Nigerians to reject it in future elections. “The APC government, which came into being on the false and evil propaganda to save Nigeria from PDP, is now a disaster to our nation and therefore must be voted out of power,” the statement read.
In closing, the PDP leaders called on Nigerians who care about democracy and progress to join the new coalition. “The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition,” they urged.
They also said the success of the coalition will depend on working together and sharing the same goals. “All coalition partners must be united on the issues of national unity, democracy, national security, national economy, and the political will to stamp out corruption embedded in our institutions,” the communique stressed.
