Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 ambition may have hit the rocks again as governors under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) Monday distanced themselves from the coalition project ahead of the next election.
The governors took the position at its 2025/4th meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo state.
Atiku, in conjunction with the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai, that of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi and a host of others, are teaming up to form a coalition to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the 2027 presidential election.
However, the move appears to have experienced a setback as the governors elected on the platform of the main opposition party said the PDP won’t be part of such arrangement.
In a communiqué signed and made available to newsmen by the Bauchi state governor and Chairman of the Forum, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, simultaneously in Abuja and Ibadan, Oyo state capital, the party resolved that it would not join any merger of political parties, groups and/or associations, or any coalition ahead 2027 election.
However, the party said as major opposition party, it welcomes “any party, persons, or groups that are willing to join it with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.” Ten governors of the party were in attendance while the Ibadan meeting lasted.
The party while speaking on the fall-out of the Supreme Court judgment regarding the disputed office of the national secretary recommended that the deputy national secretary take over from the embattled Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
“The Forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba on the issue of the National Secretary of the party, but in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment, Forum resolved to recommend that the Deputy National Secretary acts as National Secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a Substantive Secretary from the South East Zone and NEC respectively at its next meeting.
“The Forum reasserts our collective determination to avert a rape of our constitutional democracy hence the decision of approaching the Supreme Court to give a clear cut verdict on the interpretation of the provisions of the law on the declaration of State of Emergency in any state.
“The Forum restates its solidarity with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on the ordeal into which his state and people are being plunged by the declaration of a state of emergency. And we reiterate our commitment to stand with him till the end.
“The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the country, as evidenced in parts of the country especially Borno, Plateau, Katsina and Edo States. The Forum calls for review and reordering of priorities and strategies including adopting a bottom up template that guarantees the sub-nationals to constitute an effective line of defence against security breaches. While raising the concerns above, we condemn the recent attacks in Plateau State, and commiserate with the government and people of the state especially those who lost their lives and properties during this unfortunate mishap.
“The Forum resolves that working in conjunction with the National Working Committee (NWC) and other relevant organs of the party, to hold a NEC Meeting on the 27th of May, 2025; constitute a Zoning Committee that will address all issues relating to zoning of party offices and hold an early convention in August 2025, precisely on the 28th, 29th and 30th in the ancient city of Kano.
“The Forum equally recommends the constitution of the Zoning and National Convention Committees for ratification by the NWC and NEC,”
In a related development, a war of words is brewing between Atiku’s son, Mohammed Atiku-Abubakar, and that of Bauchi state governor, Shamsu Bala over who did what in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
Specifically, the ex-VP’s son said contrary to his (Samsu’s) claims, his father never supported the Waziri Adamawa during the elections.
In a statement Monday in Abuja, the ex-VP’s son said Atiku had never enjoyed any support from Bala in his bid for the presidency, saying: “the only difference now is that Shamsu has removed the mask and now we do not have to worry about the feigned impression of any support from his father.”
The controversy follows a recent comment made by Shamsu where he threatened that his father will not support Atiku in 2027.
According to the statement signed by Mohammed, Shamsu Bala’s comments reeked of arrogance and an exaggerated sense of relevance.
Continuing, the statement reads: “Let it be known to Shamsu that, never has Atiku dissipated an ounce of energy towards his father’s political travails. This is simply because Atiku’s politics transcends such shenanigans, and he has consistently remained above bar. Moreover, whatever conflict Bala Muhammed may have had with politicians in Bauchi, in the lead to the 2023 elections, had nothing to do with Atiku Abubakar. It was purely a local affair.
“Let me re-emphasise that at no point has Shamsu’s father ever supported Atiku Abubakar in his political career.
“On the contrary, the ignoble role his father played in 2023 where he clandestinely worked against the presidential candidate of his party is still fresh on Nigerians’ memory.
“In case Shamsu has been off the news reel, we wish to refer him to a recent remark by his father’s political mentor, the Minister of FCT, Nysome Wike, who revealed how the Bauchi State governor orchestrated plans to ensure that Atiku did not win in 2023 election.
“It is noteworthy to mention that Governor Bala Mohammed’s presidential ambition is the reason for his poor management of PDP Governors Forum, where he couldn’t command the respect and control of his colleagues. We are not also unawares of his secret hobnobbing with Tinubu’s Government.
“Let me conclude by telling my brother, Shamsu, that the focus of every patriotic Nigerian should be on promoting political discourse that advances our dear country Nigeria, not on needless ranting.”
