2027: Coalition only way to unseat Tinubu – Atiku insists
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has insisted that a coalition remains the only way to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Atiku argued against the position of 11 Peoples Democratic Party governors, who distanced the party from the proposed coalition being championed by the former vice president.
Rising from their meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, announced that the party would not participate in any coalition or merger.
In response to the governors’ rejection of the coalition, Atiku, while describing the state helmsmen as key leaders of the PDP, emphasized that the movement already belongs to the people and is a pan-Nigerian initiative.
The Media Aide to Atiku, Paul Ibe explained that the governors’ decision highlighted the necessity for broader consultation.
He noted, “The governors are key stakeholders of any party, not just the PDP. They are important, as are all other stakeholders, including ordinary Nigerians. The coalition is a pan-Nigerian movement and project.
“At the start of this journey, we conducted internal polling, which indicated that this was the path we should take to redeem Nigeria and reclaim it from these marauders.
“Therefore, it was no coincidence that we are travelling this route. I believe it’s still early days, and there will be alignments and realignments. I believe that when the governors, or some of them, realize that this is a project with its own momentum and a time that has come, they will align properly.
“This is not a setback. It calls for dialogue, but it is not a setback at all. The project continues. As I mentioned, this is a pan-Nigerian movement – a Nigerian project with Nigerians at its heart. It’s difficult to derail something when the people have taken ownership of it.
“That doesn’t diminish the importance of the governors; they are still very important. But Nigerians are also critical, and this project means a great deal to them in their quest to save their country.”
PUNCH
