The Nigerian political landscape is bracing for the 2027 elections, with a burgeoning coalition of prominent figures alleging a deliberate strategy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to undermine the opposition’s chances. This coalition, spearheaded by political heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, aims to present a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu. However, they accuse the PDP governors of rejecting their overtures for a united opposition, opting instead to field a weak candidate in the upcoming election, effectively acting as spoilers and inadvertently bolstering Tinubu’s chances.
The coalition argues that the PDP, once the dominant force in Nigerian politics, is now beyond repair and no longer perceived by the electorate as a viable alternative to the APC. They assert that the ruling party has effectively co-opted the PDP’s core values, leaving the party in a state of disarray and political irrelevance. This assertion is further underscored by the PDP’s internal struggles, including the alleged usurpation of power by the governors and the inability to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for two years, indicative of a party teetering on the brink of self-destruction.
The coalition views their alliance as crucial for restoring the integrity of Nigerian political institutions, particularly the role of political parties in fostering healthy competition. They believe that rescuing Nigerian democracy hinges on rebuilding trust between citizens and politicians, a trust eroded by years of political maneuvering and broken agreements. The PDP governors, however, have publicly rejected the idea of a coalition or merger, stating their intention to remain an independent opposition party while welcoming others to join their ranks. This stance has been met with criticism from the coalition, who see it as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the opposition’s efforts to unseat the incumbent government.
At the heart of the coalition’s accusations lies the claim that the PDP governors are “wittingly or unwittingly playing Asiwaju’s spoiler game.” They point to the prominent role of Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister and a PDP member, as a key figure in this alleged strategy. Wike, according to the coalition, is “untouchable” not because of his performance as a minister but because he has effectively neutralized the PDP’s ability to field a strong presidential candidate against Tinubu. The coalition alleges that Wike’s initial mandate was to prevent the PDP from presenting any candidate at all; however, with the emergence of the coalition, his new directive is to revive the PDP just enough to field a weak candidate who will split the opposition vote, thereby paving the way for Tinubu’s victory.
The coalition vehemently argues against investing time and resources in a party whose leaders they perceive as acting as “Trojan horses” for the APC and President Tinubu. They contend that the PDP’s current trajectory is one of self-destruction and political irrelevance, making it an unsuitable vehicle for the necessary task of rescuing Nigerian democracy. They maintain that the challenges facing the nation transcend mere party affiliations and call upon all patriotic Nigerians to prioritize the greater good over loyalty to a compromised party.
The coalition emphasizes the urgency of rescuing Nigeria, stating that the future of the country depends on the courage and clarity of its opposition leaders. They issue a plea for all true democrats to set aside personal ambitions and party loyalties to forge a united coalition for national salvation. They are actively working on finalizing negotiations and unveiling the coalition’s structure and action plan, extending an invitation to all political actors, including PDP leaders, to join their cause. They see this coalition as the strongest and most necessary response to the current political climate and the urgent need to rebuild Nigerian democracy. They believe that a united opposition is the only way to effectively challenge the ruling party and restore the integrity of the nation’s political institutions.
