IN a move aimed at addressing the gale of defections and internal crisis rocking it, governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, met with former governors and other party stakeholders to strategise on its survival and forge a common front ahead of the 2027 general election.

The governors also invited former PDP governors, members of the Board of Trustees and former presiding officers of the National Assembly.

Recall that the rank of the PDP has been depleting, following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and the PDP structure in the state to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Also, National Assembly members have been leaving the party.

Three Kebbi lawmakers, Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), joined the APC after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu last Friday.

Following the wave of defections, the PDP leaders convened yesterday’s meeting to prevent the country from turning into a one-party state.

It was also learned that the PDP leaders addressed key issues, including the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting and the National Elective Convention, at the expanded meeting.

The meeting, it was further gathered, was convened to chart a way forward for the party.

The meeting, convened by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, would help define the party’s strategic direction, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting was held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

Governors present at the meeting were Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

PDP governors, who were notably absent, were Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa); and the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.

Their absence, particularly that of Governor Fubara, highlights the widening cracks within the party, especially in states grappling with internal leadership disputes or increasing pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Others present included the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Iliya Damagum; former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson; former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke; former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; and former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa.

Also present at the meeting were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whose political influence remains significant within the party, despite ongoing internal tensions; former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Vanguard was reliably informed that the meeting was centred on “tackling the party’s internal crisis, which has triggered a series of high-profile defections to the APC.”

Multiple sources told Vanguard that the PDP leaders “deliberated on strategies for unifying the party and stemming the tide of defections to strengthen its standing ahead of the 2027 elections.”

Also, the dispute among members of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, was brought to the front burner.

The ongoing leadership issues, particularly concerning the roles of the National Secretary and the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Damagum, were discussed, with possible resolutions or new appointments considered. Vanguard further gathered that the meeting set the foundation for the PDP’s 2027 electoral strategy.

Though the agenda of the meeting was not disclosed to newsmen, it was gathered that deliberations were also around whether or not to pursue coalition arrangements with other opposition parties or to concentrate on internal consolidation, as resolved in earlier consultations.

With off-season governorship elections looming in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, the party leaders would “explore ways to mobilise resources and galvanise support for the PDP candidate,” aiming to secure victories that could boost the party’s momentum ahead of the national polls. The outcome of the meeting, which remains ongoing at the time of filing this report, is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the PDP’s future as it confronts internal challenges and prepares for key elections.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed reservations that he was facing problems to reconcile and rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku’s Media Aide, Mazi Paul Ibe, accused some members of the PDP of working against his efforts, making it harder for the party to stand strong against the APC.

In a chat with Vanguard, Ibe said Atiku was focused on forming a strong coalition that could challenge the APC, which he blamed for causing pain, violence, hunger and hardship in the country.

However, he said some people in the PDP were working with the APC to weaken the party from within and stop it from waxing stronger.
Ibe alleged that some well-known people who rose politically through the PDP were now working against the same party, allegedly in alignment with the APC.

He said: “Atiku has put in a lot of effort to build the party, but he cannot do it alone. The party needs to work together and be disciplined. When people sabotage his work and try to hand the party over to the APC, the failure is not his but theirs.”

On those who say Atiku should not run in 2027, Ibe said: “Everyone has the right to his opinion. If they believe he should not run, they can support someone else. Let them bring out their candidate and work for that person. That is what democracy is about; it may not always be perfect, but it gives people the right to choose.”

He also criticised the APC-led government for failing to fix major problems such as insecurity, hunger and the poor state of the economy.

“In April, the President was having a good time in France, a country built by the hard work of its people, while Nigerians were being killed at home. A good leader would have ended the trip and returned home to handle the crisis. But some people do not seem to care,” Ibe said.

He stressed that whether or not Atiku would run in 2027 should not be the main focus right now. The bigger problem, he said, is the poor leadership of the APC government.

While urging Nigerians to stop focusing on Atiku’s future, he tasked Nigerians to hold the present government responsible for the country’s problems.

Credit: Vanguard

Nyesom Wike, The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, has arrived at the venue for the crucial Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders meeting.

Wike, who arrived at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, stepped out of his vehicle and proceeded directly inside to join other governors, former governors, and members of the National Working Committee for the meeting.

The meeting aims to address several issues that have hindered peace within the major opposition party, the PDP.

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The All Progressives Congress has criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, claiming he has failed in all aspects of governance.

“It has been a failure in every aspect. The government lacks focus, and the leadership structure is unclear,” said the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru.

However, a member of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and a leader of the party in Osun State, Diran Odeyemi, disputed Basiru’s remarks, stating that Adeleke’s accomplishments in the state were evident even to the blind.

Odeyemi also stated that Adeleke had no interest in joining the APC and suggested that Basiru was still grappling with the defeat the APC suffered at the hands of the PDP in 2018.

Basiru, who is an aspirant vying for the APC ticket in the 2026 governorship election in the state, insisted that Adeleke’s performance wasn’t impressive.

He said, “There are serious issues, particularly in education and health. For example, thousands of teachers were sacked without replacements, causing significant disruption in schools. The health sector is also struggling, with no replacements for those sacked, and the health insurance scheme has collapsed.

Security in the state is also deteriorating, with communal clashes and poorly planned infrastructure projects damaging local economies. Our people are tired of the Osun government as currently led by Adeleke. And they will reject him.”

When asked if Adeleke is planning to join the APC ahead of the 2026 governorship election, Basiru stated that he was not aware of such move.

“I don’t know those calling on Adeleke to join APC, and certainly I am not one of them. As far as I know, he has not formally approached us about joining the APC. If that changes, we will address it then,” he stated.

In response, Odeyemi stated that the APC scribe was out of touch with reality and the people of Osun.

The PDP leader emphasised that Adeleke defeated the APC in 2018 and will do so again in 2026, further asserting that he has no reason to join the ruling party.

He said, “Ajibola Basiru is still suffering from the defeat he suffered in Osun, especially in Osogbo and Olorunda local government area where he hails from. He failed woefully having boasted to the APC that he would deliver Osogbo, particularly Olorundan, where the largest voting bloc in Osun comes from. But clearly, he’s still stuck in that same mindset.

“Now he wants to contest for the governorship under the APC. He thinks disparaging Adeleke will help him secure the ticket. But he has already lost touch with the people and the reality in Osun state.

“No one can deny all the infrastructural changes and developments that have taken place across Osun under the current leadership. Even in Osogbo, his hometown, no one can deny the transformation. In every ward, not just local governments, development has reached all corners. There’s no ward in Osun State that hasn’t been impacted positively.

“If Ajibola Basiru claims he hasn’t seen these changes, it’s probably because he spends all his time in Abuja as a party secretary. If he comes home now, he might not even recognize his own street—the city has changed.”

Odeyemi clarified that Adeleke has no plans to join the APC, accusing members of the ruling party of spreading the rumors.

He stated, “The governor is not even interested in joining the APC. We are surprised they are even discussing it. What’s the point of inviting someone to a party they are not interested in, especially when the person had defeated that party in the past.

“What is so special about the APC that anyone would want to join it now? It’s not even a performing government. They should know that relying on federal backing won’t work in Osun.

The people here know that Governor Adeleke is a performing leader, and they want capable people to continue leading. So, there’s no cause for concern. Any speculation or propaganda about Adeleke joining the APC is unfounded. There’s no reason or justification for such a move.”