The Governors Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explicitly separated itself from a coalition formed by opposition political figures.
Under the stewardship of the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, the Forum has declared its intention not to participate in any coalition in anticipation of the 2027 presidential election.
This assertion was made public during a convening held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Monday.
Additionally, the Forum has exacerbated the ongoing dispute concerning the legitimate national secretary of the party by endorsing the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to serve as the Acting National Secretary.
It is pertinent to recall that the former presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, had proclaimed the establishment of an opposition coalition.
This coalition is believed to encompass notable figures including the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, among others.
Atiku has articulated that the objective of this coalition is to effectuate the removal of President Bola Tinubu in the year 2027.
The declaration of the coalition occurred subsequent to El-Rufai’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai has leveled accusations against the APC regarding its deficiency in internal democratic practices since the ascension of Tinubu to power.
Conversely, Adewale Adebayo, the former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, has indicated that Atiku and Obi are engaged in negotiations to align themselves with the SDP.
He posited that, should Atiku, Obi, and other influential politicians aspiring to affiliate with the SDP adhere to the party’s ethos, they would be capable of defeating and consequently retiring Tinubu and the APC.
In the meantime, Buba Galadima, a prominent member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has asserted that El-Rufai serves as a placeholder for Atiku within the SDP in the event that the PDP denies him the opportunity to secure its presidential nomination.
