The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former vice president Atiku Abubakar have rejected recent support for President Bola Tinubu from governors and other All Progressives Congress (APC) members.
According to reports, they described them as symptoms of despair and terror in the run-up to the 2027 elections. The leaders of the opposition are still optimistic that their alliance will overthrow the governing party.
Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media adviser, stated his strong conviction that the alliance can contest and win the general elections in 2027, regardless of Tinubu’s support.
Ibe compared the alliance’s position to that of a student who has studied hard for an exam, according to Vanguard, and claimed that political wrangling won’t deter the coalition.
When you’ve studied hard for a test, you may sleep well the night before and wake up certain that you’ll do well. Our coalition holds that stance,” Ibe stated.
He went on to say that the Nigerian people, not the ruling party’s political maneuvers, will be the real judges of the 2027 election.
“The recent endorsements reveal the panicked state of this administration,” Ibe added. Due to rebels regaining territory in Borno State and other areas, insecurity is at an all-time high. Families are finding it difficult to meet their fundamental demands due to the exorbitant expense of living. However, the government has prioritized political games over addressing these pressing challenges.
Additionally, he charged that Tinubu’s government was using anti-corruption organizations to pressure opposition politicians into joining the APC, saying that many of these defections were the consequence of political pressure rather than ideological reasons.
“These defections are not motivated by ideology or preference for the APC,” Ibe claimed. Politicians are being forced to join the ruling party and held captive. Both the present administration and prior governors are targeting some for corruption, forcing them to pay a ransom that shows up as defections.
“The so-called ‘quiet bomb’ is being used as leverage to pressure defectors in Delta State and other places.”
PDP Criticizes Endorsements and Denies Crisis
In addition, Umar Bature, the PDP’s National Organizing Secretary, expressed his opinion, saying that endorsements do not ensure election success.
He recalled how previous President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2014 election even though he had the support of 21 governors.
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“Tinubu has 22 endorsements,” stated Bature. There is no need for concern. It will just take time. The question is if you have done the right thing for the nation, not if you have been endorsed. Endorsements are just for show. When people see they aren’t acting in the best interests of the people they purport to represent, they turn to them. No crisis exists. Members are merely voicing their opinions. Time will tell if they express a desire to leave the celebration. These issues will be resolved on their own.
