PDP governors wary of Atiku’s 2027 ambition – Party chieftain reveals

Mallam Umar Sani, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo has revealed that several PDP governors are increasingly uneasy with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s anticipated bid for the 2027 presidential election.

Sani stated that Atiku’s perceived dominance within the party, especially his ability to outmanoeuvre sitting governors in presidential primaries, has created a climate of distrust and political insecurity among key stakeholders.

Atiku’s political dominance has long been a divisive issue within the PDP. While his supporters view him as the most experienced and prepared candidate to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC), critics argue that his repeated candidacies have stifled internal democracy and discouraged fresh leadership from emerging.

Sani warned that unless the party engages in genuine internal reforms and inclusive dialogue, it risks deeper fragmentation.

The PDP has been plagued by internal rifts, most notably between the Atiku camp and the group led by former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

Wike and his allies, who formed the influential G-5 group, refused to support Atiku in the 2023 elections, accusing him of reneging on the party’s zoning agreement and marginalizing southern stakeholders.

Since then, Wike has accepted a ministerial appointment in President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led government and continues to maintain open political ties with the ruling party, sparking accusations of betrayal from within the PDP.

Political analysts believe that this uneasy alliance between some PDP members and the APC further complicates the party’s ability to present a united front.

Atiku, 78, has not officially declared his interest in the 2027 race, but his recent public statements and consultations with party leaders suggest that he remains very much in the game.