The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed that Nigeria’s three major opposition figures—Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso—are in discussions to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The aim of this potential alliance is to present a united front to address the challenges of hunger and widespread insecurity that many Nigerians are currently facing.
This information was shared by the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program. He emphasized that the discussions are focused on setting aside personal ambitions to form a strong opposition capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
Abdullahi acknowledged the losses the PDP suffered due to the departure of key figures like Kwankwaso, who is now with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Peter Obi, who ran under the Labour Party in the last election. He noted that if these influential leaders had remained within the PDP, the party would have been in a much stronger position to challenge the APC and possibly prevent the current administration from taking power.
“We’ve lost Kwankwaso, we’ve lost Peter Obi. Imagine if they were still with us; we would have won the election. The APC claimed victory with a margin of just over one million votes. Any one of these leaders could have bridged that gap for us, and today, Nigerians wouldn’t be facing such despair and insecurity,” Abdullahi stated.
He further revealed that efforts are underway to reunite these former members with the PDP. According to Abdullahi, discussions have already started between Atiku, Obi, and other key political figures. “You’ll see Peter Obi meeting with Atiku, and discussions are ongoing. Party management is complex, but we are working hard to navigate through the challenges we’ve encountered,” he added.
During the 2023 presidential election, the APC’s Bola Tinubu emerged victorious, securing nearly nine million votes. Atiku Abubakar, who has run for president six times, received almost seven million votes, while Peter Obi garnered over six million votes in his first run for the presidency. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who led the NNPP, finished fourth but won a significant number of votes in his home state of Kano.
Interestingly, both Obi and Kwankwaso were members of the PDP before the last election but left due to irreconcilable differences within the party. This history adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing talks about a possible reunion.
When asked about the possibility of these leaders returning to the PDP and how they would navigate the issue of who would lead the coalition, Abdullahi responded that one of them would have to step down for the other. He stressed that the priority for all involved is to rescue Nigerians from the current situation rather than focusing on individual ambitions.
Abdullahi explained, “Our concern as a party is to ensure we salvage Nigerians from the despair and insecurity they are currently facing. Atiku has said that if it’s better for someone else to lead the charge, he’s willing to step aside.
“He [Atiku] believes in his democratic right to run, but he’s not forcing it on the party or the country. Peter Obi is also qualified, and if he gets the ticket, we will support him fully.”
The PDP spokesperson’s remarks signal a possible shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, with the 2027 election potentially shaping up to be a significant contest between a unified opposition and the ruling APC. As discussions continue, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether this alliance materializes and how it might impact the country’s future.