Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President David Mark, have urged party loyalists and patriotic Nigerians to rally behind a growing coalition seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the 2027 presidential election.
The call was contained in a communiqué signed by Senator Mark after a strategic meeting of PDP stakeholders held in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the communiqué, the coalition is built on shared concerns about national unity, economic revival, security, and democratic governance. It emphasized that unity among opposition forces is crucial for the success of the initiative.
“All stakeholders must commit to the values of democracy, national cohesion, security, and the political will to tackle institutional corruption,” the statement read, urging Nigerians to support the coalition as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
While Tinubu’s government has witnessed a mixed record of progress and criticism, opposition voices have persistently accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to deliver on key national priorities. However, most of the major opposition parties including the PDP, Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have also been grappling with internal rifts.
To present a united front, several influential political figures, including Atiku Abubakar, LP’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced the formation of a new coalition on March 20 in Abuja, a move that sparked intense national debate.
Following weeks of speculation, the coalition officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform, with plans to unveil its structure formally on Wednesday. Senator David Mark has been named as the interim chairman of the coalition.
The communiqué also addressed concerns about the PDP’s current state, describing the party as being in disarray since its loss in the 2023 elections and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman.
It accused the APC-led Federal Government of using state apparatus to suppress opposition and erode democratic values. The statement blamed internal divisions and leadership failures within the PDP for weakening the party’s ability to function effectively.
“The founding vision of the PDP — once a beacon of stability and progress in Nigeria and across Africa has been eroded,” the communiqué lamented. “The party’s stature has declined while Nigeria’s standing on the global stage continues to fall.”
The PDP leaders described the current national situation as dire, alleging that the quality of life under the APC has plummeted, with many Nigerians facing economic hardship and insecurity.
Present at the meeting were key party stalwarts, including former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi). Also in attendance were ex-PDP Chairman Uche Secondus, Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Senator Austin Akobundu, Kola Ologbondiyan, Abdullahi Maibasira, and others.
As momentum builds ahead of 2027, opposition figures say they are determined to reclaim Nigeria’s democratic space and present a formidable alternative to the current administration.
