PDP govs meet, reject coalition
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday declared that they would not join any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had last month announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. He was flanked at […]
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday declared that they would not join any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had last month announced the formation of a coalition of opposition parties aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027. He was flanked at the press conference by Dr Yunusa Tanko, representative of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Following a recent visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna by Atiku and members of the coalition, expectations were high that the PDP Governors’ Forum’s meeting in Ibadan would clarify the party’s position on the alliance.
However, arising from the meeting held between Sunday and Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State—which was attended by the party’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and other party leaders—the governors distanced themselves from any coalition or merger talks.
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The forum, however, expressed openness to welcoming any party, person or group willing to join the PDP in the effort to “wrest power and enthrone good leadership in 2027.”
“Noting the nationwide speculations about a possible merger of parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that it will not join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027,” the forum stated in a communiqué signed and read by its chairman and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
Those in attendance included the host, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, as well as Ahmad Fintiri of Adamawa, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.
Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno was represented by his deputy, Akon Eyakenyi, while Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme. The suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, was notably absent.
The PDP governors’ rejection follows closely on the heels of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) announcing it would not be part of any merger, despite being proposed as the lead party in the coalition.
Real reasons they rejected coalition
Multiple sources within the PDP told Daily Trust that while the governors are interested in the proposed coalition, they are keen on the PDP retaining its status as the major opposition platform and want the terms of the alliance to reflect that.
A former member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) said the governors want to be critical stakeholders in the coalition, warning that allowing smaller parties to dominate would sideline the PDP.
“The governors want the PDP to be the platform others collapse into. If another party is chosen, the PDP will go into oblivion. They want to avoid that,” the source said.
He added: “Right now, we’re hearing INEC may not register new parties and could deregister those without representatives in the National Assembly. That’s why Peter Obi is trying to regain control of the Labour Party from Julius Abure. Atiku also recently denied plans to leave the PDP. Even El-Rufai is seeking relevance in the SDP.”
“The governors don’t want to chase anyone; they believe PDP has the spread, the followership and representation in the National Assembly. In their estimation, PDP should not be joining smaller parties.”
He further revealed that PDP leaders—including David Mark, Sule Lamido, and Bukola Saraki—met with some governors and Board of Trustees members before the Ibadan meeting, indicating a strategy was already in motion.
Another NEC member told Daily Trust that the governors are uncomfortable with the SDP and other smaller parties taking the lead in the coalition.
“They want to remain the backbone of the opposition. The governors know they can’t defeat the APC alone and need a coalition, but they want favourable terms. Talks are ongoing. The governors are involved but don’t want to appear desperate,” the source said.
Not a setback, they’ll align later – Atiku’s aide
Reacting to the decision of the governors, Paul Ibe, the spokesman for Atiku Abubakar, stated that the governors’ stance does not constitute a setback for the coalition.
He explained, “The coalition is a pan-Nigerian initiative whose time has come. We conducted an internal poll before embarking on this, and the results show that this is what Nigerians want. We are guided by this, and it is bigger than any individual. It is a Nigerian project.”
He acknowledged the importance of the governors but emphasised the broader context: “The governors are important, as are many other individuals. There are other key figures in the scheme of things. As we move forward, we’ll consider all elements in totality.”
Ibe expressed confidence in future developments, saying, “At the appropriate time, there will be realignments, and the governors will align. We are still in the early days. When they see the direction, I believe they will be well-guided.”
Position mere suggestion – Bode George
Chief Olabode George, a member of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, also reacted to the governors’ decision, acknowledging that while their resolutions were commendable, according to the party’s constitution, they are merely “suggestions” for consideration by the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
He stated in an interview on Channels TV that “By the constitution, these are suggestions for the NWC and the final decision of the NEC. The highest decision-making authority is the national convention, followed by the NEC, and then the NWC, which handles the day-to-day running of the party.”
George, a former Deputy National Chairman (South), emphasised that the governors’ position reaffirmed his loyalty to the nation’s survival. “Most of their decisions are reasonable and will be discussed at the NWC, with final approval by the NEC. This is classic, and I congratulate the gentlemen who gathered in Oyo to make these suggestions.”
He added, “How can you expect a robust political party to seek someone to merge with? People will join us. Our doors are always open.” He further noted that the coalition as it stands is composed of individuals vying for the presidency, which complicates its chances of success. This, he said, puts the PDP in a prime position to reassess its structure.
How rejection could affect Atiku – Prof Kari
Professor Abubakar Umar Kari, a seasoned Political Sociologist, commented that the decision of the PDP governors represents a “great setback not only for the coalition but particularly for Atiku.”
Kari, a lecturer in the University of Abuja, explained that Atiku had been banking on the PDP becoming the dominant force within the coalition, but now finds himself in a more vulnerable position.
He said, “I believe Atiku was banking on the PDP becoming the dominant group within the coalition they have been trying to build. So, if he remains in the coalition, he will now be very thin, or rather, not exactly be significant.”
He further elaborated, “In a coalition, it’s about bargaining. The stronger you are, the better you are in striking any bargain. But with this setback, Atiku might not be as strong as he once hoped to be. He may be marginalised in the coalition by other groups that are more influential.”
Kari also noted the challenges that Atiku faces within his own party: “We all know that the PDP has been suffering from a lot of problems. The Atiku group and the Wike group have been struggling to control the party. Atiku has been the one pushing for a coalition, but he does not control the party and lacks support from most of the governors.”
He argued that the chances of the coalition succeeding have “substantially weakened” due to this new development.
“I’m not sure any governors will be part of the coalition. The only other parties with governors are NNPP, Labour Party and APGA, but we know that Kwankwaso, the leader of NNPP, is not particularly beholden to the coalition. The Labour Party governor from Abia State, I’m not sure if he’s part of the coalition. Additionally, Soludo, from APGA, has not been attending the coalition meetings.”
Kari went on to explain how the APC capitalised on its governors in the past: “4th Republic politics substantially depends on governors. The APC succeeded when the so-called new-PDP governors joined them, along with the massive followership of Muhammadu Buhari, which helped secure 12 million votes together with the six ACN governors and three ANPP governors.”
He warned that Atiku’s path to success could be increasingly difficult.
“Atiku can still form a coalition, but it will not be as strong or formidable as the APC, at least for now. By not joining the coalition, the PDP governors may have shot themselves in the foot. PDP, as it stands now, is just a collection of desperate groups and ambitious individuals who have not closed ranks,” he said.
Kari also suggested that this new development may force Atiku to reassess his political strategies: “It will be very difficult for Atiku to enter into any sort of coalition like this because he lacks the full support of his party and governors. It’s a significant blow to his plans, and it only benefits the APC.”
Atiku, others didn’t do their homework – Prof Fage
Also commenting, Professor Kamilu Sani Fage of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), stated that the rejection of the coalition proposal by the governors was indicative that Atiku and others “didn’t do their homework to get the support of all stakeholders so that they could sell the idea of the coalition.”
He continued, “What this means is that a lot needs to be done by the candidates to ensure they carry their party and their members along if they want to form an alliance or a coalition.”
Fage, a former Vice President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), added, “The rejection remains a setback for the time being because when a section of the party is saying they are not in favour or are against it, it shows there is no unity of purpose among stakeholders. What needs to happen now is for them to sit down, talk with all stakeholders, and figure out where to go from here.”
He posed questions on the coalition’s future, saying, “Do they enter a coalition, or do they abandon their party and go their own way? Perhaps they will come up with other options, such as an alliance, not a coalition. These are political issues that need deliberation and consultation before any direction is taken.”
Govs propose NEC for May 27, convention August 28
The PDP governors’ forum also resolved to work with the NWC and other relevant organs of the party to hold a NEC meeting on 27 May 2025. This meeting will facilitate the constitution of a zoning committee and plan for the party’s national convention scheduled for 28 to 30 August 2025 in Kano.
According to the communiqué, the Zoning Committee will be chaired by Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, with Zamfara’s Dauda Lawal as vice chairman and Plateau’s Caleb Mutfwang as secretary.
The National Convention Committee will be chaired by Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, with Osun’s Ademola Adeleke as vice chairman and Enugu’s Peter Mbah as secretary.
Other resolutions reached by the governors
The governors also addressed the internal crisis in the party, particularly the issue of the national secretary.
According to the communiqué, the forum reiterated its earlier position taken in Asaba and resolved that the Deputy National Secretary should act as National Secretary pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive secretary from the South East Zone.
A source familiar with the discussions said the governors had settled on Sunday Ude-Okoye for the role but wanted the nomination process to follow due process.
“The Supreme Court has handed the power back to the party. The South East caucus nominated Ude-Okoye before, and they will do so again. NEC will then ratify it,” the source said.
He added: “Though the governors restated their Asaba position, they want to follow the proper channels due to the Supreme Court’s judgement. It’s only a matter of time. The goal is to wrest control of the party from Nyesom Wike. Senator Samuel Anyanwu is seen as loyal to Wike. The governors are solidly behind Fubara and ready to face the FCT Minister.”
On the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, the governors said they remain united in rejecting what they described as an assault on constitutional democracy.
“The Forum reasserts its collective determination to avert a rape of our constitutional democracy, hence the decision of approaching the Supreme Court to give a clear-cut verdict on the interpretation of the law on the declaration of a state of emergency,” the communiqué read.
The governors restated their support for the suspended Governor Fubara, condemning the circumstances that led to the emergency declaration.
“We reiterate our commitment to stand with him till the end,” the forum stated.
On security, the governors expressed concern over the worsening situation across the country, citing incidents in Borno, Katsina, Edo and Plateau states. They also commiserated with those who lost property in recent attacks in Plateau.