2027: PDP Governors Speak On Dropping Atiku For El-Rufai, Obi Presidential Ticket
The Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied speculations to the effect that five of its members are supporting a potential Nasir El-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
A statement issued by the Director General of the Forum, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, condemned the rumour as “unpleasant and provoking publications” pushed by elements determined to undermine its credibility.
Agbo asserted that such baseless claims are part of a broader strategy by “negative forces” to question the leadership of the Forum amid ongoing economic challenges in Nigeria.
The Forum is led by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed.
According to the statement, “the PDP Governors’ Forum is not in consonance with these actors, neither does it enjoy any ambience of political space to discuss nor seal the auction of the PDP through lowlife grifters who are allegedly working behind the scenes to support a ‘potential Nasir El-Rufai/Peter Obi presidential ticket in the 2027 election’.
“As a formidable party, all organs of the party have continually been engaged in attaining reconciliation across the board and reconsolidation of progressive development made in our Subnational to ameliorate the lives of our people.
“It is obvious that these mischief makers and detractors, who are bewildered at the way and manner PDP Governors are daily performing to pull the people out of economic hardship despite the intimidation by the ruling APC, are only intimidated and can only throw mud at our good works.
“In the world of politics, rumours and speculations are common. As such, we will not allow these ‘Enemies of Progress’ and ‘Agents of Confusion’ to gaslight the Nigerian people to draw wrong and erroneous conclusions.”
According to the Forum, the unfounded allegation is only part of desperate ploys by some factions within the party.
The statement criticized these actors for their attempts to finance low-willed factions and create a one-party entrapment, aiming to split opposition and subvert democratic institutions.
Emphasising the PDP Governors’ Forum’s unwavering commitment to the party’s core values—equity, social justice, accountability and the sanctity of the electoral process— Dr. Agbo reassured the public that the body remains united.
He stressed that irrespective of internal challenges within the PDP, the Forum will support the party’s eventual flag bearer chosen through a disciplined and democratic process to wrest power from what he termed the “non-performers at the centre.”
The press statement also highlighted ongoing efforts at reconciliation and consolidation within the PDP and denounced the attempts by political opportunists to misinterpret laws and distort party policies for personal gain.
“The dreams of the founding fathers of our great party will not be in vain,” the statement concluded.
Atiku: I’m For Coalition But Remains PDP Member
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, says he remains determined to see the actualization of a multi-party coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027 but would not defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A statement by his media office titled “Atiku remains a bona fide member of PDP” and released in Abuja last night, roundly condemned increasing speculations suggesting that the former Vice President is plotting to dump the PDP.
It said: “We have observed that some news platforms are peddling unverified information that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party.
“We wish to clarify that the so-called news of Atiku defecting to another party is a total fallacy that holds no merit in logic.
“Recall that Atiku Abubakar had persistently called for a coalition of opposition political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election with the aim of ousting the incompetent and pain-inflicting All Progressives Congress, in order to give Nigerians a new lease of life.
“Atiku is still advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive.
“Hence, it is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping PDP ship.
“Such an allegation is antithetical to the objective of the grand coalition, which the former Vice President is currently driving alongside other prominent political leaders in the country.
“We, therefore, wish to state unequivocally that Atiku remains a principal bona fide member of the PDP, the main opposition party.
“Any insinuation to the contrary is contrived to confuse Nigerians about the magnitude of the grand coalition that is at work to rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”
