Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on aggrieved leaders and stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join him and others in an emerging political coalition.
Some notable PDP chieftains have already joined the former vice president in the coalition, which aims to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
At a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, which was atteded by Atiku and other aggrieved PDP leaders, the group urged “well meaning” PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition.
Besides Atiku, other prominent PDP chieftains at the meeting were former Senate President, David Mark; former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido; former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke.
Others include former PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus; former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu and his Ebonyi State counterpart, Sam Egwu among others.
A communique, issued after the meeting, stated that other partners in the coalition would work out the modalities of winning all elections, “taking into consideration local and national peculiarities.”
“All coalition partners must be united on the issues of national unity, democracy, national security, national economy and the political will to stamp out corruption embedded in our institutions.”
THE WHISTLER reports that Atiku and other PDP chieftains in the coalition talks, have come to the realisation that the PDP has been destroyed beyond redemption.
They are reported to have come to the conclusion that the erstwhile vibrant ruling party has been rendered unserviceable for the 2027 election.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, is also reported to have held a similar meeting with his loyalists in the LP to fine tune their position regarding the coalition.
Similarly, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi and former Federal Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, are also reported to be coordinating the APC group.
The coalition has agreed to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADP) while still repursuing the possibility of getting the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) registered.
The promoters of the coalition said the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which they initially considered as a platform to be adopted, had been infiltrated, allegedly by agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (PDP).
A source in the coalition said the SDP has been “polluted,” just like the PDP and the LP.
There are three individuals currently laying claim to the national chairmanship of the LP, while the PDP is also contending with three separate claimants to the seat of the party’s national secretary.
The communique added that concerned leaders in the PDP discussed the disturbing condition and crisis tearing the party apart.
“Since our loss in the last presidential election and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, our dear party has never been the same again.
“Vested interests from within and the irresponsible actions of the APC led federal government, which has been using state institutions to stifle and destroy the democracy knows no bounds!
“The inability of 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.
“Painfully, Nigeria is now a diminished country and an embarrassment on the world stage!
“The meeting took time to deliberate deeply on the issues of democracy, national unity, national security, economy, corruption, governance, and other concerns plaguing our country,” the communique stated.
The coalition leaders bemomed the state of the nation, blaming the economic hardship and the rising insecurity on what they destined as the incompetence and insensitivity of the APC led adminstartion.
“The APC government, which came into being on the false and evil propaganda, to save Nigeria from 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 lives 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,” the communique added.
