Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed speculations that he plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), affirming his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his push for a broad-based coalition to unseat the APC in the 2027 general elections.
Atiku made this known while hosting female members of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) led by former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, who visited him to discuss the party’s current crisis and seek ways to prevent its total collapse.
Describing the coalition as both strategic and necessary, Atiku emphasized that it would not affect the identity of the PDP, but rather strengthen efforts to rebuild Nigeria. He cited historical alliances such as the NPN-NPP accord in the Second Republic as a model for the proposed collaboration, noting that the movement transcends party lines and reflects the aspirations of Nigerians seeking meaningful change.
Addressing concerns raised by the delegation, Atiku reiterated his loyalty to the PDP and encouraged leaders and members to embrace the coalition effort aimed at reclaiming democratic values and restoring good governance.
Speaking after the meeting, Ciroma explained the purpose of their visit: “As members of the BoT—the conscience of the party—we are disturbed by the leadership vacuum in the PDP. We met with Atiku to express our concerns and brainstorm on the way forward. He assured us he is not leaving the party and spoke extensively about the coalition.”
She said discussions also touched on the need for sustainable party funding to prevent undue influence by individuals, stressing that party ownership and leadership must reflect collective interest.
In continuation of their intervention, the BoT women met with Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, at the PDP National Secretariat, where they spent over an hour deliberating on the crisis. They also announced plans to engage PDP governors, stakeholders, and other leaders to find lasting solutions.
Meanwhile, the Atiku Media Office has reacted strongly to recent comments by Daniel Bwala, a former spokesperson for Atiku’s 2023 campaign and now Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu. Bwala had criticized Atiku during a TVC interview, prompting a sharp rebuttal from the media team.
In a statement, Atiku’s office accused Bwala of political opportunism and described his remarks as “sanctimonious pontificating laced with bitterness.” It said the attacks reveal the ruling party’s anxiety over Atiku’s growing influence and the momentum of the coalition he is leading.
“Atiku Abubakar remains the single most formidable opposition figure in Nigeria,” the statement read. “If he were truly irrelevant, the Tinubu administration wouldn’t be so focused on discrediting him.”
The statement further noted that Bwala’s current visibility is owed to the platform he once had under Atiku, and advised him to show humility rather than arrogance.
Nzubechukwu Eze.
