Atiku Abubakar Refutes Claims of Defecting to APC, Advocates for Coalition to Challenge APC in 2027

     Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has firmly rejected rumors that he plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The former Vice President made this clear during a meeting with the PDP women members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), who visited him to discuss ways to prevent the party's collapse.

    Atiku emphasized the importance of a coalition to challenge the APC-led government in the 2027 elections. He described the coalition not merely as a political tactic but as a crucial step for revitalizing the nation and ensuring a change in leadership. The PDP leader pointed out that such a coalition had historical precedence, referencing the NPN-NPP alliance during the Second Republic, which successfully formed a coalition to challenge the government at the time.

    He reassured the women, led by former Minister of Women Affairs and ex-National Women Leader of the PDP, Hajia Inna Ciroma, that the coalition would work, stressing that the PDP's name and identity would remain intact. Atiku also provided insight into the ongoing pan-Nigerian coalition he is spearheading, noting that it is being driven by Nigerians from all regions who are united in the desire to reclaim and rebuild the country.

PDP Women’s Visit: Concern for Party’s Leadership Crisis

    In a conversation with Vanguard, Hajia Inna Ciroma, the leader of the PDP women BoT, shared the purpose of their visit to Atiku. She revealed that the women were deeply concerned about the party’s current leadership crisis, emphasizing that any organization without effective leadership would struggle to thrive. As the "conscience of the party," the women felt compelled to intervene and offer solutions to prevent the PDP from disintegrating.

    Ciroma explained that during their visit, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the party's leadership vacuum and discussed the urgent need for direction. She highlighted that Atiku assured them that he would not leave the PDP and reinforced his commitment to the coalition movement. The discussions also included the importance of properly funding political parties, stressing that adequate funding would prevent any individual from having too much control over the party’s operations.

Addressing Defections and Internal Crisis

    The PDP has faced significant challenges in recent months, including defections and internal divisions, which have exacerbated the instability within the party. In response to these issues, the BoT women have taken a proactive approach to address the crisis. Last week, they initiated a series of meetings, starting with an over-hour-long discussion with the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, at the PDP National Secretariat.

    To further their efforts, the BoT women have formed a team tasked with reaching out to PDP governors, key party leaders, and other stakeholders. Their goal is to understand the reasons behind the party’s ongoing crises and work toward a resolution that will ensure the PDP’s survival and success moving forward.

    
Through their efforts, the women hope to restore stability to the PDP and steer the party toward a unified and successful future.