There is an alleged plot to form a new political alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
About five governors of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly working behind the scenes with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to weaken the party.
The motive, it is said, is to project Nasir el-Rufai and Peter Obi’s joint presidential ticket under the new political alliance.
It is alleged that El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, who has become a vocal critic of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, called for a broad political coalition, signalling that he might not pursue his presidential ambition under the PDP.
He has made visible meetings with Atiku in recent weeks. Recently, the former governor and Atiku jointly paid a condolence visit to the family of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, last week. Political observers believe this was more than just a social visit; it was part of their strategy to build support for the 2027 elections.
A source familiar with the situation, though not authorized to speak publicly, revealed that the plan is to dismantle the PDP from within.
According to the source, “Atiku and el-Rufai have sealed an understanding with at least five PDP governors. Their strategy is to ensure the PDP is too weak to pose any challenge to their alliance against the APC and President Tinubu.”
The source explained that the 2023 elections taught them a hard lesson. Back then, the source said opposition votes were divided among the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP, making it easier for Tinubu and the APC to secure victory. To avoid a repeat, the new plan involves merging forces under one political platform while ensuring the PDP doesn’t survive as a strong contender.
“The ultimate goal,” the source continued, “is to make sure the PDP is so fragmented that it doesn’t even get on the ballot. This will leave voters with a clear choice between the Tinubu-led APC and the el-Rufai/Obi alliance.”
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is said to be playing a leading role in the plot. His motivation, insiders say, stems from his ongoing feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now a key figure in Tinubu’s APC government as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“Fubara needed no convincing,” another source disclosed. “He sees no future for himself in the PDP because of Wike’s influence. He believes aligning with Obi’s populist movement, which gained significant momentum in 2023, could secure his political future.”
The source further claimed that Fubara has managed to convince other PDP governors facing similar political uncertainties to join the cause. One of the most prominent figures in the plan is Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who is said to be playing a crucial role in pushing the agenda forward.
In addition to the southern governors, the plot reportedly includes a second-term PDP governor from the North-East. This governor, along with two other second-term PDP governors, has allegedly agreed to back the plan under the condition that they receive key ministerial appointments if the el-Rufai/Obi ticket succeeds.