The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh internal turmoil amid rising speculation over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s political future.
Contrary to recent media reports, Atiku has denied adopting the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) as a coalition platform, stating that no official decision has been made regarding its endorsement.
Demola Olarenwaju, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy, clarified that while a group within the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NNCG) had applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ADA’s registration, the coalition has not formally adopted the proposed party.
He emphasized that discussions are ongoing and any final decision will be publicly communicated in due course.
The development has added to the anxiety within the PDP, as key stakeholders grow increasingly concerned about the party’s stability. Atiku, a veteran presidential contender with bids in six previous election cycles, is widely believed to be laying the groundwork for another run in 2027.
His potential defection, alongside former Senate President David Mark and former House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, could deliver a significant blow to the party’s national outlook.
Insiders revealed that David Mark chaired the recent NNCG meeting where the decision to seek ADA’s registration was made, fueling speculations about a coordinated exit strategy. Observers suggest that once ADA is fully registered, a mass exodus of supporters loyal to Atiku and his allies may follow.
The PDP has already lost two state governors—Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom—to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in recent weeks. The losses have intensified internal wrangling and cast doubt over the viability of the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amid the growing crisis, efforts to reconcile warring factions within the PDP have gained traction. The Saraki-led Peace and Reconciliation Committee is reportedly being positioned to mediate between governors and national officers who have clashed over the legitimacy of Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s position as National Secretary—a dispute that has threatened the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting and the party’s national convention scheduled for August.
Sources close to the party revealed that the legal authority of Anyanwu has been reinforced by a recent Supreme Court ruling, leaving little room for legal maneuvering by opposing factions. Meanwhile, the National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Kamaldeen Ajibade, has reportedly distanced himself from the ongoing disputes.
In a related development, Atiku loyalist and University of Abuja professor, Tunde Olusunle, defended the former Vice President, blaming internal saboteurs for the party’s decline. According to him, it is not Atiku’s actions but the hostile elements within the PDP who have steadily undermined the party’s cohesion since the 2022 presidential primaries.
Olusunle noted that Atiku remains a founding pillar of the PDP and commands a significant base of support. He warned that the mere hint of Atiku’s departure has done more to shake the PDP than the actual defections of serving governors, highlighting the former Vice President’s enduring influence.
He also pointed to the rising call for a credible alternative platform to challenge the status quo, hinting that the proposed coalition—if joined by figures like former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi—could dominate both the North and the South East in 2027.
Despite his growing ties to the emerging coalition, Olusunle said Atiku would not pressure his loyalists to leave the PDP, describing him as a pragmatic democrat who respects the political choices of others.
As the PDP grapples with these unfolding dynamics, many within the party fear that without decisive leadership and reconciliation, the party may face a further slide ahead of the next electoral cycle.
