Abuja, Nigeria – May 6, 2025
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has not ruled out remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite ongoing tensions between his camp and key stakeholders within the party.
Sources close to the PDP and Atiku’s political machinery disclosed that although initial signals pointed to a potential departure from the party, recent internal deliberations suggest the possibility of a recalibrated approach that could keep the former vice president within the PDP fold—at least for now.
The move comes in the wake of a recent meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) in Ibadan, Oyo State, where the governors publicly distanced themselves from any coalition talks ahead of the 2027 polls. This decision drew immediate criticism from Atiku’s allies, who insisted that the coalition initiative had already gained momentum.
A source familiar with Atiku’s strategy revealed that shortly after the governors’ meeting, Atiku’s inner circle met to assess the political landscape. While there was initial consensus that the opposition coalition had effectively taken off, further reflection led to the conclusion that opportunities still exist to reshape the PDP from within.
“Let me say that the possibility of Atiku remaining in the PDP is not entirely foreclosed,” the source said. “While his camp reacted strongly to the governors’ decision, there’s hope that dialogue with critical stakeholders might shift the current stance and revive the idea of a broader opposition merger.”
However, not all within Atiku’s camp are on the same page. While some advisors advocate for a gradual approach that keeps PDP stakeholders engaged, others are pushing for a clean break, citing growing mistrust of some state governors and their alleged alliance with a prominent party figure who is seen as working to weaken Atiku’s influence.
A different source within the PDP echoed those concerns, suggesting that Atiku is increasingly wary of collaborating with the current crop of PDP governors.
“There’s a belief within our camp that many of these governors are loyal to a certain powerbroker whose aim is to destabilize the PDP from within,” the source said. “Even if the party leadership agrees to a coalition, these internal saboteurs may work against it. That’s why some are urging Atiku to cut ties now before it’s too late.”
It is believed that Atiku is preparing for a final round of high-level consultations in the coming months. His team is said to be hoping that a shift in the PDP’s internal dynamics could pave the way for renewed unity among opposition forces.
Meanwhile, political observers note that time is of the essence, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to release the 2027 election timetable soon. However, Atiku’s loyalists maintain that there is still room to negotiate a viable coalition if key actors come to the table.
Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in both the 2019 and 2023 elections, remains a central figure in opposition politics. His next political move could significantly shape the direction of the party—and any broader opposition coalition—heading into 2027.
