Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have rejected governors’ and APC stakeholders’ recent support for President Bola Tinubu.
They described them as symptoms of desperation and terror in the run-up to the 2027 elections, according to reports. Opposition leaders are still optimistic that their alliance will overthrow the ruling party.
Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, stated that he is confident the alliance can run for and win the general elections in 2027, regardless of Tinubu’s support.
Vanguard reports that Ibe compared the alliance’s position to that of a student who has studied hard for an exam, claiming that political wrangling won’t deter the coalition.
A well-prepared exam allows you to sleep well the night before and wake up with confidence that you will do well. That’s what our coalition stands for,” Ibe stated.
Read Also: APC Chieftain Eta Alleges El-Rufai’s Coalition Move Is Scripted for Tinubu
The Nigerian people, he continued, will be the real arbiters of the 2027 election, not the ruling party’s political maneuvers.
Ibe added, “The recent endorsements show how panicked this administration is.” With rebels retaking areas in Borno State and other areas, insecurity is at an all-time high. Families are having difficulty meeting their fundamental demands due to the unacceptable cost of living. However, the government has mostly focused on political games rather than addressing these pressing challenges.
He also said that Tinubu’s government was using anti-corruption agencies to force opposition politicians to join the APC, saying that many of these defections were the consequence of political pressure rather than ideological reasons.
These defections, according to Ibe, “are not motivated by ideology or preference for the APC.” Leaders are being forced to join the ruling party and are being held captive. Some are being singled out for corruption by both the current government and prior governors, and they are being made to pay a ransom that shows up as defections.
“With the so-called ‘quiet bomb’ being used as leverage to pressure defectors, this is occurring in Delta State and elsewhere.”
PDP Condemns Crisis and Attacks Endorsements
Regarding the issue, PDP National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature also expressed his opinion, saying that endorsements do not ensure electoral success.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2014 election, he recalled, even though he had the support of 21 governors.
“Tinubu has 22 endorsements,” Bature stated. There’s no need to be concerned. It will happen eventually. Support is not the problem; rather, it is whether you have acted in the best interests of the nation. The endorsements are only for show. Individuals turn to them when they realize they aren’t acting in the best interests of the people they purport to represent. Nothing is in crisis. All members are doing is voicing their opinions. We’ll find out if they declare that they wish to quit the celebration. These issues will settle themselves.
