.As Govs vow to confront APC, coalition ahead of 2027
.Assures on national convention November
The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed confidence in the eventual collapse of the recently formed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Thursday during the PDP’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, described the PDP as a strong and united platform ready to reclaim power in 2027.
On July 1, the African Democratic Congress was adopted as the coalition platform for opposition leaders seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
Notable political figures who have recently joined the ADC-led coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu, among others.
In response, Damagum stated that many individuals who initially joined the coalition have already returned to the PDP, with some even insisting they never left and only attended a single meeting.
Damagum stated, “I have no charge beyond this; that we deliberate sincerely and make decisions that serve the interest of the PDP and the Nigerian people.
“However, I must address the matter of a so-called coalition recently formed, which includes some defecting members of our party.
“On this issue, I am pleased to report that this political experiment is nothing to lose sleep over.
“They say, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Some people have recently learned this truth in the most uncomfortable way.
“Many who jumped on the coalition bandwagon have already returned to our fold. Some even claim they never left and merely attended a meeting; we accept their confessions without prejudice.
“Let me add that this reversal is not limited to PDP members alone. Individuals from other political parties who initially joined this coalition have realised that the venture is ill-fated, and their swift return is proof of this.
“The Peoples Democratic Party remains the only party that is not only poised and ready to take back power, but also the only party with the structure, national acceptability, and legacy capable of bearing the weight of this great national undertaking.
“To close this matter, I believe that all of us look forward to the total dismantling of this ill-fated coalition, even as we extend our best wishes to those involved.”
He thanked all party stakeholders for their commitment during critical times and also praised the state chairmen for their efforts.
He added, “Let me begin by appreciating our state party chairpersons, who are the first line of defence in our democratic struggle.
“It is from your leadership that our grassroots structures are nurtured and sustained. Your resilience, especially in states where we are in opposition, is commendable.
“We recognise the burdens you carry and salute your unwavering commitment to the party. You are comrades in the trenches of democracy.
“I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Minority Leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as all our legislators in the National Assembly. You have represented the values of our party with integrity and tenacity. I must emphasise that it is because of your steadfastness that when we eventually reclaim the presidency, the next PDP president will not be a political orphan left to the mercy of hostile forces.
“Beyond electoral victories, our legislators play a crucial role in both governance and party life. Through your actions, anti-people policies are challenged and checked. You serve as role models to our state assembly members, who themselves are doing tremendous work delivering the dividends of representative democracy and supporting the executive arm in PDP-led states.”
Meanwhile, Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have declared their readiness, alongside party members, to confront both the ruling All Progressives Congress and the emerging coalition led by the African Democratic Congress in the upcoming elections.
Speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors during the party’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, stated that the party would no longer tolerate acts of indiscipline.
He noted that internal crises triggered by indiscipline had recently been addressed and resolved.
Ahead of the 2027 polls, several high-profile politicians have defected to the ADC-led coalition, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-presidential aspirant Dele Momodu.
On the other hand, some PDP leaders have also crossed over to the APC.
They include Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the party’s 2023 Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, among others.
The Bauchi State Governor affirmed their commitment to reviving the party and delivering hope to Nigerians.
Mohammed stated, “We will not continue to condone indiscipline in this place, because indiscipline is what brought us all the problems and challenges.
“Definitely, the party has shown resilience, and the governors are going through a lot of challenges, just like the NWC. We will continue to express confidence in the organs of the party.
“Our ambition is not more important than the nation. We must be able to hide our personal ambition, either as governors or those seeking the presidency so that we can leave a level playing field.
“Now, with the necessary recognition by the regulator, INEC, at the end of the day, we’ll give the APC political competition a run for their money in terms of contest that will be given on a level playing field, with a party that is intact, and also give answers to our people wishing to come in.
“In terms of whatever permutation or conjecture we call it whether it is coalition, whether it is alliance it is the PDP that should be able to drive it, because it is the main opposition party.”
The Bauchi State Governor stated that the party sympathises with those who left out of impatience, noting that the door will remain open for their return though only for a limited time.
He added, “This is a long way we have traveled. This is how PDP is known, a party with a history, with a logo that has not changed over the years, the party that has shown resilience, and we have the governors solidly behind all the organs of the party.
“We don’t have to make a lot of noise. We are working behind the scene, behind the NWC, behind the BoT, the caucuses of the National Assembly and the six chapters to ensure that we remain intact and provide a credible platform for Nigerians to actualize their aspirations.
“As the BoT Secretary has said, this is not time for calling names. This is not time for abusers. We sympathise for those who became impatient and left but certainly they will understand and we would still leave the door ajar for them to come in when they wish to, within a time limit.”
However, the Peoples Democratic Party has shifted its National Elective Convention, originally planned for August, to November 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday after the party’s 101st National Executive Committee meeting, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced that the convention will now take place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, instead of the previously announced venue, Kano.
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