The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has refuted rumours that he intends to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), affirming his continued loyalty to the PDP.
During a meeting with female members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who visited him in a bid to prevent the party’s collapse, Atiku emphasized the need for a coalition to unseat the APC-led government in 2027.
He explained that the coalition was more than a political tactic—it was essential for challenging the current administration and rebuilding the nation.
Addressing the delegation led by Hajia Inna Ciroma, former Minister of Women Affairs and ex-National Women Leader of the PDP, Atiku expressed confidence in the viability of the coalition, asserting that it would yield positive outcomes.
He referenced the alliance between the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) during the Second Republic—known as the NPN-NPP accord—adding that such a coalition would not impact the identity of the PDP.
Atiku also briefed the women on the progress of the broad-based coalition he is spearheading with various leaders and stakeholders across party lines and regions.
He noted that the movement is being driven by Nigerians from all parts of the country who are eager to reclaim and restore the nation.
Speaking on the nature of the visit, the leader of the PDP women BoT, Inna Ciroma, said: “We, as PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, members—the conscience of the party—decided to take this bold decision to come into the crisis the party is going through.
“We, as mothers, are worried and disturbed by what the party is going through at the moment. We are disturbed that the party has no leadership, and any organisation without leadership cannot stand. We are worried and disturbed. We cannot fold our arms and see things go bad in our great party.
“We decided to visit former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to complain about what we are not happy with, to brainstorm with him on the way forward, on how to save the party from total collapse. We told him there must be leadership and direction in the party. We had very fruitful discussions with the 2023 presidential candidate of the party.
“He told us he was not leaving the party, as he discussed much on the coalition and the need for us to key in. We also discussed party funding, that parties should be well-funded so that no single person can control it.’’
