Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark and others have commenced a grand plot towards wooing members of the PDP to join the anti-Tinubu coalition towards winning the 2027 general elections.
“The PDP, which is organic with the discipline, capacity, and history to lead and save Nigeria, is now a shadow of its old self,” they stated in a communiqué at the end of their four-hour closed door meeting at Transcorp-Hilton hotel in Abuja on Tuesday.
The two highly visible PDP personalities were joined by other PDP leaders including the Chairman of the PDP Disciplinary Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, who recommended the expulsion of PDP National Secretary over alleged ‘anti-party activities contrary to the provisions of Article 58 (1)(f) of the PDP Constitution’ in March this year.
Their call on members of the PDP to desert a sinking ship is coming barely twenty-four hours after the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Bala Mohammed drew the ovation of PDP leaders at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting when he spoke emphatically against plots aimed at drawing PDP into a political coalition.
In their communiqué, the coalition forces described themselves as ‘Concerned Leaders of the PDP’ roundly criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and emphasized that PDP is too weak and incapacitated to challenge APC in 2027.
“The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition,” they stated.
According to the coalition which is yet to confirm or deny speculations that they are headed for the ADC, their motivation is solely for the cause of rescuing Nigeria.
“The meeting of concerned leaders of our great Party PDP was called to discuss the disturbing condition the Party has been sunk into; since our loss in the last presidential election and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, our dear Party has never been the same again.
“Vested interests from within and the irresponsible actions of the APC led federal government which has been using state institutions to stifle and destroy the democracy knows no bounds!
“The inability of PDP leadership to lead the party by its constitution, rules and regulations led it into a chaotic and undisciplined party!
“The vision of the founding fathers for which the party was established and the role it played in restoring Nigeria as stable and united country and key player on the regional, continental, and global stage has been washed away just as our roles as the leader of the black race is now overtaken by smaller and less endowed countries.
“Painfully, Nigeria is now a diminished country and an embarrassment on the world stage!” they asserted.
Pointing out their deliberation was focused on issues of democracy, national unity, national security, economy, corruption, governance, and other concerns plaguing our country, they followed the now traditional pattern of the PDP by blaming the APC Federal Government for all the country’s past and present challenges.
“Arising from the above, the meeting hereby resolved that the APC government, which came into being on the false and evil propaganda, to save Nigeria from PDP is now a disaster to our nation and therefore must be voted out of power.
“All indices of development that support the comfort and quality of lives of the citizens have collapsed, and life is now hell in Nigeria; the heat wave unleashed by the APC Federal government through threats, blackmail and patronage has forced elected officers in government to abandon the PDP.
“The meeting here now decides to encourage all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition.
“All coalition partners must be united on the issues of national unity, democracy, national security, national economy, and the political will to stamp out corruption embedded in our institutions.
“The coalition partners are to work out the modalities of winning all elections taking into consideration, local and national peculiarities,” they stated.
Lately, both Atiku and Mark have not been attending public events of the PDP in recent times and there is increasing speculation that they are both involved with two political parties – the ADA and ADC – which the anti-Tinubu coalition intends to use as its political platform for the 2027 election.
Those in attendance at the meeting include former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; former Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).
Other PDP figures in attendance include Senator Ben Obi; former PDP National Women Leader Josephine Annenih; former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu; ex-National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira.
When contacted for a reaction to the development, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr, Debo Ologunagba chose to keep mum.
“If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life, sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.”