In a bold bid to reclaim its status as Nigeria’s primary opposition force, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to hold “high-level” consultations with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 candidate, Peter Obi.
The move, however, has been met with immediate derision from both the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—which both men recently joined—and the ‘Obidient’ movement, who point to the PDP’s ongoing leadership crisis as a major roadblock.
Speaking on a Channels Television program on Wednesday, the PDP South-South Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ogidi, revealed that the party is on a nationwide mission to consolidate its strength ahead of 2027. This follows a recent meeting between the PDP National Working Committee and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We’re 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 we’re moving. I know you’re going to ask me about Obi. Yes, we also have plans to see Peter Obi,” Ogidi stated.
He further emphasized that the party’s doors remain open to its former standard-bearer: “Even Atiku Abubakar, as the former vice president of the country, we are going to meet him. You see, PDP is the real face of democracy in Nigeria.”
Despite the PDP’s optimism, the camp of Atiku Abubakar has signaled that they have already moved on. Mazi Paul Ibe, Atiku’s Media Adviser, said that the former Vice President is currently focused on the ADC as the vehicle for national rescue.
“You know the hands of the coalition party are open, very open. The coalition party is willing to expand its course and partner with those who are focused on rescuing Nigeria from the real malaise of the rule of Tinubu and the APC,” Ibe said.
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Ibe was firm on Atiku’s current allegiance, adding: “To that extent, the ADC, of which Atiku Abubakar is a member, has spoken about discussions that would bring about collaboration… ADC is the way forward. You understand what I’m talking about? Yes, it is the way forward.”
The reaction from the ADC headquarters was even more pointed. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, laughed off the PDP’s efforts, questioning why any top-tier politician would return to a party currently split into factions.
“Wooing which Atiku? Which Obi? Is it Obi, who joined ADC a few days ago? Wooing them to where?” Abdullahi asked. “You are talking about a party that has a leadership crisis and factions. Who will sign the nomination forms of the candidates? Are they going to get out of the mess before the election? Who will take that kind of risk?”
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, dismissed the idea of Obi returning to the PDP fold while the party remains in turmoil.
“Well, they are making overtures to him, but you know, the problem is that the party has issues at the moment now,” Tanko noted. “So if you say you are making an overture, for him to go back to where? Where there are problems? Those are the issues. So you have to consider that.”
While the party struggles to win back Obi and Atiku, it has found a steady ally in former President Goodluck Jonathan. Following a meeting led by National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, the PDP leadership expressed confidence in Jonathan’s loyalty.
“We have his assurance that he remains an active, card-carrying member of the PDP and feels obliged to support the party; the PDP has done enough for him, and he will try his best to do more for the party,” Turaki told journalists, describing the meeting as “very reassuring and encouraging as we prepare for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun, and the 2027 general elections.”
Despite the internal fractures in the PDP—including the recent expulsion of figures like Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose—party insiders maintain that these consultations are the first step toward a “concrete result” for 2027.
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