From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Atiku Abubakar-led 2027 political coalition has accused Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors of acting as agents for President Bola Tinubu by opposing a broad-based coalition to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) and rescue Nigerian democracy.
In a statement titled “Rescuing Nigerian Democracy,” issued on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, by Salihu Moh. Lukman for the Coalition Secretariat in Abuja, the group criticized the PDP Governors’ Forum’s 14 April rejection of the coalition.
Lukman stated, “For more than 10 years that the PDP had been out of power, Nigerians had waited for the party to dust itself up and provide the viable opposition that Nigeria needs. Instead, the party went into suspended animation until the rampaging Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to finally put it to rest.”
He singled out FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, claiming, “Wike is the untouchable super Minister in Asiwaju’s government not because of the sterling job he is doing in the FCT, but because he has done a great job of ensuring that the PDP is not able to present a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu for power in 2027.”
The coalition argued that its formation is essential to defeating Tinubu and restoring trust in political institutions, particularly as the PDP has failed to hold National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings for two years, leaving its leadership unclear.
Lukman added, “All we have seen of the PDP Governors is the flagrant usurpation of the powers assigned to the organs of the party… It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of APC Government or undercover supporters.”