A member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, says his party will meet its end if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secures the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.

“If he (Atiku) picks it (PDP’s ticket), that is the end of this party. If he picks it by manipulation which was what was done the last time, we will not accept it,” the octogenarian said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday.

Atiku, PDP’s 2023 flag bearer, came second after ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last poll. The former vice president has been in a race to become Nigeria’s president for over three decades and has been the presidential candidate of different parties for six times.

Of late, Atiku championed an inter-party alliance that birthed a coalition on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The opposition arrowhead, alongside former Anambra governor Peter Obi, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, amongst others, announced the coalition as a springboard to oust incumbent Tinubu whose administration has been accused of mismanaging the economy, with all-time high inflation and unprecedented cost of living.

The coalition is banking on the numerical strength of the votes recorded by Atiku and Obi in the last poll. In 2023, PDP’s Atiku and Labour Party’s Obi came second and third respectively with combined votes of over 12 million, more than four million above the total votes recorded by Tinubu who was declared the winner by electoral umpire INEC.

In a twist, PDP governors on Monday, April 14, 2025, rejected the coalition spearheaded by Atiku, ruling out any plan by the party for mergers or coalition.

George, during the television programme on Monday, applauded the PDP governors for putting on their thinking caps and rejecting the coalition led by Atiku.

The PDP BoT member said Atiku has not shown himself to be a leader of the party because he has not waded into the intra-party squabbles that have befallen the party in recent times.

“No, if he is the leader of the party, he would have waded into it (the crisis),” George said. “The fact that he was the presidential candidate of the party at the last election doesn’t mean he is a bona fide, fixated leader of the party. If he’s running for his private interest, it’s different from the interest of the party.”

Asked whether Atiku could be the flag bearer of the PDP in 2027, the PDP chieftain said,

“He cannot be. This is what I am saying. There was eight years in the north, there should be eight years in the south. That is the dictate, that is the doctrine of the PDP. I can’t say he cannot contest; he can go to any party because it is his constitutional right but as far as we are concerned, he cannot be the candidate.”

“There are rules. Section 7, Sub-section 3C of our constitution. It states that once the presidential candidate has been in the south for eight years, it had to go to the north. And after another eight years, it would come to the south. Is Atiku from the South-West, South-South or South-East?” George asked.

The PDP chieftain said he equally doesn’t want Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, adding that he wants his party to win the next election with a southern candidate.

By Francesca Hangeior

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has rejected the planned coalition against the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was one of the outcome of the PDP Governors meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State between Sunday and Monday.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, read the communique to journalists.
 
Governor Mohammed said they were open to welcoming anyone or parties that want to join the party.

The Presidential Candidate of the PDP and that of the Labour Party in the last election, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have been canvassing for a coalition that will oust the APC in 2027.

 The communiqué also expressed solidarity with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stating, “We restate our commitment to stand with him until the end amid the challenges posed by the declaration of a state of emergency in his state.”

Addressing the worsening security situation in the country, particularly in Borno, Katsina, and Edo States, the forum expressed alarm, stating, “The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the country.”

The PDP governors called for a “review and reorientation of priorities and strategies,” emphasising the need for a bottom-up approach to tackle security breaches effectively.

They condemned the recent attacks in Plateau State, stating, “We extend our condolences to the government and people of the state, especially those who lost lives and property during this unfortunate mishap.”

Looking ahead, the PDPGF announced plans to hold a meeting on May 27, 2025, to establish a zoning committee.

The committee will consist of Governor Douye Diri as Chairman, Governor Dauda Lawal as Vice Chairman, and Governor Caleb Mutfwang as Secretary.

“This committee will address party office allocations ahead of the convention scheduled for August 28-30, 2025, in Kano.”

The forum, however, expressed gratitude to the host governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, stating, “The Forum expresses its gratitude to the host Governor, the government, and the good people of Oyo State for their hospitality.”

By Francesca Hangeior

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, has expressed confidence that the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC), under President Bola Tinubu, will create Anioma State.

Nwoko made the statement over the weekend in Delta State during a visit by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He emphasized that the Tinubu-led administration is committed to addressing the regional imbalance by establishing Anioma State, which would promote development in the region.

In a statement released to our correspondent in Lafia, Michael Ogar, the senator’s media consultant, quoted Nwoko as describing Ganduje’s visit as a significant step toward achieving fairness and regional balance in Nigeria.

“This is the clearest signal that the dream of Anioma State is not only alive but is now anchored at the very heart of national policymaking. Our people deserve inclusion, and this is the pathway to lasting justice and balance in the Nigerian federation” The statement reads

The event, which marked the formal reception of members of the Delta Unity Group from Ika Federal Constituency into the APC, was attended by notable APC chieftains from Delta and Edo States. Among them was Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, who played a prominent role at the event and described the occasion as “a defining moment for Delta politics and for the Anioma people.”

Addressing the enthusiastic APC supporters, stakeholders and other interest groups, National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Dr. Ganduje said the agitation for the creation of Animals state was a done deal.

Making the historic declaration, Ganduje stated unequivocally that “the creation of Anioma State is a done deal.”

The APC National Chairman affirmed that the rulling party is fully aligned with the long-standing aspiration for Anioma State and assured the gathering of the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC governors, the National Assembly, and the wider leadership of the party.

“The creation of Anioma State is not just an aspiration, it is a commitment that reflects equity, justice, and the unity of our nation,” Ganduje stated.