By John Paul
Prominent opposition leaders in the country have again accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state institutions to weaken the opposition, as the race toward the 2027 general elections begins to take shape. Following a closed-door meeting in Abuja, key members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President David Mark, issued a joint communiqué calling for a broad national coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The opposition figures claimed that PDP elected officials have been subjected to sustained pressure, threats, and enticements from the ruling party in an effort to fracture Nigeria’s main opposition party. The communiqué described the situation as a deliberate attempt by the APC to undermine democracy and suppress dissenting political voices.
Participants at the meeting—including former governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Liyel Imoke (Cross River)—called for urgent unity among opposition parties. They urged Nigerians to rally behind a coalition platform rooted in national unity, democratic principles, security, economic recovery, and a firm anti-corruption stance.
The group lamented what they described as a steady decline of the PDP following its loss in the 2023 presidential election and the resignation of its former national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. They admitted the party had been plagued by internal divisions and failure to uphold its constitution, which they said had led to instability and loss of political direction.
The communiqué also criticized the Tinubu administration’s performance, citing rising insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and what they called a “collapse of public trust” in governance. They argued that the APC-led government had failed Nigerians and insisted that the country needs an alternative political path.
The meeting forms part of ongoing coalition efforts among opposition politicians ahead of 2027. Talks are reportedly gaining traction among key political figures including Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, as they explore the possibility of forming a united front to challenge the APC.
Meanwhile, former PDP National Chairman, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, said the PDP has resolved its internal disputes and is now more united than it has been in recent years. Speaking to ARISE News, Baraje said the recent 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting brought together governors, the National Working Committee (NWC), the Board of Trustees (BoT), and other party organs to reaffirm their commitment to unity.
Baraje stated that all party leaders had agreed to put aside past grievances in order to provide credible leadership and a viable alternative for Nigerians. One major outcome of the NEC meeting was the unanimous reinstatement of Senator Sam Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, signaling what Baraje called “a new era of cooperation and reconciliation” within the party.
While acknowledging that some members still have reservations, Baraje dismissed speculation that the party was collapsing. He insisted that the PDP remains the most formidable opposition force in the country and warned that Nigeria “cannot afford to become a one-party state.” He urged the media and the public to view recent developments within the PDP as genuine steps toward internal reform and national political renewal.
Baraje also addressed concerns over party discipline and internal dissent, insisting that the party has its own mechanisms for handling such issues. He called on Nigerians and the media to support the PDP’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and offer an effective alternative to the ruling party in 2027.