A call has gone out for well-meaning Nigerians and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the opposition coalition targeted at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
The call was made in a communique issued on Tuesday at the end of a meeting in Abuja convened by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The meeting, which also had in attendance several PDP leaders, including former Senate President David Mark, former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and other key figures, aimed at harmonizing the plans to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections.
According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting, which was signed by Mark, the time has come for all opposition members to unite, join the coalition and work towards saving Nigeria from the disaster caused by the APC.
The communique read in part, “The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition.
“All coalition partners must be united on the issues of national unity, democracy, national security and national economy and the political will to stamp out corruption embedded in our institutions.
“The coalition partners to work out the modalities of winning all elections taking into consideration local and national peculiarities.”
The communiqué disclosed that the meeting is a gathering of concerned PDP leaders interested in working towards resolving the crisis which has enveloped the party.
The meeting accused the APC-led federal government of using state institutions to stifle opposition in the country.
It also blamed the PDP leadership for failing to abide by the party’s constitution, rules and regulations, which inadvertently resulted in the challenges rocking the party.
“Vested interests from within and the irresponsible actions of the APC-led Federal Government, which has been using state institutions to stifle and destroy democracy, know no bounds!
“The inability of the PDP leadership to lead the party by its Constitution, rules and regulations led it into a chaotic and undisciplined party!
“The vision of the founding fathers for which the party was established and the role it played in restoring Nigeria as stable and united country and key player on the regional, continental, and global stage has been washed away just as our roles as the leader of the black race is now overtaken by smaller and less endowed countries,” the statement added.
The APC Disaster
The communique lamented that the APC has failed to develop Nigeria and has instead caused more problems for the country and an international embarrassment.
It said the APC has resorted to blackmail and other incitements to force elected public office holders to defect to the party.
The communique read in part, “The APC government, which came into being on the false and evil propaganda, to save Nigeria from the PDP, is now a disaster to our nation and therefore must be voted out of power.
“All indices of development that support the comfort and quality of life of the citizens have collapsed, and life is now hell in Nigeria.
“The PDP, which is organic with the discipline, capacity, and history to lead and save Nigeria, is now a shadow of its old self. The heatwave unleashed by the APC Federal Government through threats, blackmail and patronage has forced elected officers in government to abandon the PDP.”
Naijaonpoint reports that some of the PDP stalwarts who attended the meeting include former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, former Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).
Others include Senator Ben Obi, former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, ex-National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira, among others.