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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido, and other prominent figures from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have urged party members and Nigerians to support a newly formed coalition aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
This appeal was made in a communiqué signed by Mark after a PDP coalition meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
The communiqué stated, “The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition. Coalition partners must be unified on issues concerning national unity, democracy, national security, and the economy, along with the political resolve to eradicate corruption from our institutions. The coalition partners are to develop strategies for winning all elections, taking into account both local and national distinctions.”
President Bola Tinubu's administration has seen both achievements and challenges across various sectors.
However, opposition figures from different parties have frequently criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, branding it a failure.
Notably, key opposition parties, including the PDP, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Social Democratic Party, have been struggling with internal strife. To mount a robust challenge before the upcoming 2027 elections, former Vice President Atiku, LP's Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and others launched a new political coalition in Abuja on March 20.
This development triggered national discussions regarding the likelihood of a united opposition, eliciting mixed reactions from analysts and citizens alike.
For several months, speculation arose regarding the political platform for this coalition.
Reports confirmed that the coalition opted for the African Democratic Congress as its political platform, appointing Senator Mark as the interim chairman, with an official launch set for Wednesday.
The communiqué noted that the Concerned PDP Leaders convened to address the party's troubling situation, highlighting concerns that following its defeat in the prior presidential race and Dr. Iyorchia Ayu's resignation as National Chairman, the PDP has struggled to recover.
It stated, “Vested interests within and the reckless actions of the APC-led Federal Government, which have been exploiting state institutions to undermine democracy, are rampant! The failure of the PDP leadership to adhere to the party's Constitution, rules, and regulations has resulted in a disorganized and undisciplined party!
The vision of the founding fathers, for which the party was established, and its role in restoring Nigeria as a stable, unified nation and a key player on the regional, continental, and global stage have been eroded, just as our position as leaders of the black race is now overshadowed by smaller, less endowed countries.”
Mark, Atiku, and other PDP leaders criticized the current condition of Nigeria, labeling it weakened and a source of shame in the international arena.
The communiqué expressed, “The APC government, which emerged from false and malicious propaganda claiming to rescue Nigeria from the PDP, has turned into a disaster for our nation and must therefore be ousted from power. All development indicators that contribute to the citizens' comfort and quality of life have deteriorated, rendering life intolerable in Nigeria.
The PDP, which retains the discipline, capability, and history to lead and restore Nigeria, is now merely a shadow of its former self.
The storm of threats, intimidation, and patronage unleashed by the APC Federal Government has compelled elected officials in government to desert the PDP.”
In addition to Atiku and Lamido, notable PDP members at the meeting included former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, former Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi). Other attendees included Senator Ben Obi, former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, ex-National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira, among others.
