July 02, (THEWILL) — Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including its 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and former Senate President, David Mark, have called on party faithful and patriotic Nigerians to rally behind a proposed opposition coalition aimed at unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The charge was issued at a high-level closed-door meeting held on Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, as part of ongoing consultations ahead of the formal unveiling of the coalition platform.
According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the leaders expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of the PDP and the country under the APC-led federal government.
“The meeting of concerned leaders of our great party, PDP, was convened to address the disturbing condition the party has been plunged into. Since our loss in the last presidential election and the exit of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, the party has not remained the same,” the communiqué stated.
The leaders accused the APC administration of weaponising state institutions to stifle democracy and silence opposition voices, while lamenting the failure of the PDP leadership to uphold the party’s constitution, rules, and internal discipline.
They described Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu as “a diminished country and an embarrassment on the world stage,” adding that the PDP’s historical role in stabilising the nation had been eroded.
“The APC government, which came into being on the basis of false and malicious propaganda to save Nigeria from the PDP, has now proven to be a monumental disaster.
“All indices of development that support the quality of life have collapsed, and life is now hellish for ordinary Nigerians,” the communiqué added.
The meeting further criticised the mass defection of PDP members, particularly elected officials, attributing it to the heatwave of threats, blackmail, and patronage unleashed by the APC-led federal government.
Calling for urgent action, the PDP leaders urged members and other opposition forces to unite behind a coalition rooted in core national values.
“The meeting encourages all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the opposition coalition. All coalition partners must be united on the issues of national unity, democracy, national security, economic recovery, and the political will to stamp out institutional corruption.”
The coalition is expected to develop a comprehensive strategy to win future elections while factoring in both national and local political dynamics.
In attendance at the meeting were former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; former governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), and Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Senator Ben Obi; former National Women Leader, Josephine Anenih; former National Organising Secretary, Senator Austin Akobundu; former National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan; and former National Youth Leader, Abdullahi Maibasira, among others.
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