By Jide Orintunsin
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has fired back at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors who rejected coalition or merger with any other political party.
“Indeed, the Coalition Train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades” Atiku wrote on his X handle yesterday.
This comment is an indication that the former Presidential candidate and his political party have parted ways in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
He also gave a hint of likely dumping the PDP to realize his bid to contest the election.
He said: “Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren; that is the vehicle we are going to ride on”.
The PDP National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Dan Orbih blamed the party’s protracted crisis on an entrenched interest in contesting every presidential election without respecting the provisions of the PDP constitution.
Although, he did not name the entrenched interest, Atiku had contested for president two times on PDP platform and one time, using the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform.
In their communiqué after their meeting in Ibadan on Monday, the governors said their decision on rejection of coalition, was taken after due consultation with all PDP party organ.
But at a meeting with a delegation of the PDP from Nasarawa State, Atiku insisted that the merger train had already left the station.
The team was led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana and members of National Opinion Leaders, headed by Yusuf Sheriff Banki.
“Yesterday, I met with a delegation of two groups, during which I briefed them about the status of the pan-Nigerian coalition that I am building in conjunction with other leaders and stakeholders across political divides and regions.
“I informed them that the Nigerian Movement is being powered by Nigerians desirous of reclaiming and rebuilding their country from across the nooks and crannies of our country.
“First was the meeting with a delegation of the PDP from Nasarawa State, led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana, and a delegation of National Opinion leaders, led by Yusuf Sheriff Banki,” he added.
Atiku also warned them against being distracted by minor financial offers that could jeopardise their future.
He said leaders from various parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP, Labour Party (LP) and others, have been meeting to forge a new path towards a better Nigeria.
He referred to the initiative behind the coalition as “Sabuwar tafiya” in Hausa, translating to “a new pathway” in English.
Atiku, who was PDP presidential standard bearer in 2023 expressed optimism about announcing the coalition soon and appealed to the public to join the movement.
“Now, because of that, that’s why a number of us leaders from the parties I have mentioned – APC, PDP, Labour, and others – have come together to say we are going to have what I call in Hausa Sabuwar tafiya, which in English means a new path, a new pathway to a new Nigeria,” he added.
“And we have been meeting, and by the grace of God, very soon we will announce. We hope and we appeal to you all to be part of this movement.
“Whatever vehicle that will give us good governance in the future of our children and grandchildren; that is the vehicle we are going to ride on.
“Get to planning and working together and getting as many Nigerians as possible to get converted to this new pathway.”
According to Orbih, blaming the crisis tearing the PDP apart on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike will amount to standing logic on its head.
He identified the real problem as those with entrenched interest in contesting every presidential election in flagrant disregard to the PDP constitution.
Orbih, also leader of the PDP Legacy Group in Edo, stated this while handing over the PDP new secretariat, he donated to the party on Wednesday in Benin.
He urged the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagun to initiate congresses that would bring in new leaders capable of repositioning the PDP and restoring its lost glory.
Orbih said: “PDP is a strong and formidable party, but it still has challenges that we cannot afford to ignore or sweep under the carpet.
“Wike is not the party’s problem. The real issue is those who want to run every time without following the party’s constitutional guidelines.
“We must put our differences aside and work with sincere party members to rebuild and reposition the PDP for future political battles ahead.
“People are mocking the PDP and asking where we are, but I tell you today, the PDP in Edo is fully back.”
But a former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Segun Adewale disagreed with Chief Olabode George, who said that another shot at the presidency by Atiku on PDP ticket will kill the party.
Adewale, who said it was wrong for anyone to say the emergence of Atiku would undermine the party’s victory in 2027, contended that the chances of the party would rather be affected by anti-party activities and selfishness of some party leaders.