PDP Governors Reject Coalition Ahead of 2027 Elections; Atiku, El-Rufai, and Obi Weigh In

Governors elected under Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have firmly rejected the possibility of a coalition with other parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. This decision was made during a meeting where they dismissed speculation regarding a merger. The PDP governors stated that they would not join any coalition or merger, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the party's independence. In contrast, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has argued that a coalition is essential for the opposition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming elections. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has also dismissed the idea of an opposition coalition, labeling recent moves by Atiku and Kaduna's former governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as politically opportunistic. The political landscape is further complicated by ongoing criticisms of Tinubu's administration, with some leaders, including El-Rufai, alleging that Nigeria is regressing under his leadership. Additionally, Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has called for Tinubu to return from a retreat in France to address escalating domestic issues, including communal violence.