PDP Won’t Be Forced Into Coalition – Segun Sowunmi

A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has firmly stated that the party will not be coerced into joining any vague or unclear coalition.

In an interview with TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who is also the convener of The Alternative, made it clear that while individual politicians are free to form alliances, political parties like the PDP must be approached with respect for their structure and ideology.

Naijaonpoint reports that Sowunmi stressed that for any coalition to be formed, there must be clear communication regarding the objectives, roles, and structure of the alliance.

He said, “For any political party, of the 18 registered political parties in this country, there is not a single one of them who will not ask, ‘what is the basis of this coming together? How do we make it happen? What are the roles assigned? Which is the vehicle?’”

He further emphasised that the PDP, founded in 1998, is one of the legacy parties in Nigeria, built on principles such as national unity, zoning, and a centre-right ideology that balances pro-business policies with welfare-driven ideas.

“The PDP was envisioned to be a pan-Nigerian party. “It is a party that recognizes the unique diversity of our country and respects the principles of zoning. It is a right-of-center party, which means it is pro-business and pro-private sector, but also has strong welfare concepts,” Sowunmi said.

He noted that the PDP’s ideological framework is what drives the party’s actions and policies, and any discussions regarding a coalition should respect these principles.

Sowunmi called on stakeholders, particularly PDP governors, to be fully informed before the party engages in any coalition talks. He stressed that any attempt to involve the PDP in such an arrangement without proper clarity would be rejected.

“Now, if you are going to drag the PDP into this kind of conversation, they must first of all be informed as to why. “No one is going to hoodwink or force the PDP into any arrangement that is not clear to them,” he said.

He questioned whether the PDP, with its significant political influence, should dissolve its machinery or merge with parties that lack established structures.

He asked, “Do they have to de-register their party? Are they going to empty the party into a smaller one?. “They have enough governors, senators, and representatives. Are they supposed to suddenly mill into a party that has absolutely nothing to offer in terms of leadership?”

Sowunmi also addressed the recent communiqué issued by PDP governors, which ruled out the possibility of a merger or coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

He assured that the statement should not be misconstrued as a sign of disunity. “There is no quarrel or disagreement. It is a conversation that is ongoing,” he said.

On the issue of opposition unity, Sowunmi noted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been advocating for a coalition, would eventually need to consult with the PDP leadership. “Atiku Abubakar will still have to go and meet the party and explain to them,” Sowunmi said.

The rejection of coalition talks was further affirmed by a former governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam, who disagreed with the governors’ stance.

Suswam argued that the governors’ decision was “out of touch with reality” and did not reflect the mood among party members and stakeholders.