A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to hold consultations with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, as part of efforts to build a strong opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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‎The PDP South-South Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Ogidi, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking on a Channels Television programme.
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‎Ogidi said the planned engagements were aimed at restoring the PDP’s national relevance and presenting a formidable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
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‎Atiku was the PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, with Obi serving as his running mate in 2019. Both politicians have since joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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‎According to Ogidi, the party has already commenced wide consultations with key national figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
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‎“We are doing the rounds. We have already seen a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and another former president, IBB. It’s all about seeing those who are important in Nigeria to tell them that we are alive and moving.
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‎“Yes, we also have plans to see Peter Obi. Even Atiku Abubakar, as a former vice president of the country, we are going to meet him. PDP is the real face of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
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‎However, the remarks attracted reactions from the Obidient Movement and the ADC, both of which expressed scepticism about the PDP’s ability to lure Obi and Atiku back into its fold.
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‎The Obidient Movement described the PDP as a party in crisis, arguing that it lacked the cohesion to attract Obi, while the ADC questioned the rationale behind the planned consultations.
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‎In a related development, members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on Tuesday met with former President Goodluck Jonathan at his office in Maitama, Abuja.
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‎Speaking after the meeting, the PDP National Chairman, Sen. Tanimu Turaki, said Jonathan reaffirmed his membership of the party and pledged continued support.
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‎“He remains an active, card-carrying member of the PDP and feels obliged to support the party,” Turaki said, adding that Jonathan’s remarks were encouraging as the party prepares for off-season elections and the 2027 polls.
‎Meanwhile, sources within the PDP told NAN that consultations were ongoing to fine-tune possible political arrangements ahead of 2027.
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‎“Consultations are going on. Sooner or later, the details will emerge, and they will yield concrete results,” one of the sources said.
‎Reacting to the development, the camp of Atiku Abubakar reiterated that the ADC remained open to collaboration with other opposition parties.
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‎Mr Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku, said the ADC was already engaging in discussions aimed at forging a broad opposition coalition to challenge the APC in 2027.
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‎“The coalition party is willing to partner with those focused on rescuing Nigeria. ADC is the way forward,” Ibe said.
‎Similarly, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed the PDP’s move, questioning which Atiku and Obi the party intended to woo.
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‎“Is it Obi who joined ADC a few days ago? Wooing them to where? You are talking about a party with leadership crisis and factions,” Abdullahi said.