by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
In what may signal a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, several prominent figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly preparing to leave the party, citing internal disarray and a loss of direction.
This development was revealed in a communiqué issued after a high-level meeting of Concerned Leaders of the PDP, held in Abuja on Tuesday. The gathering, held behind closed doors, brought together some of the most influential elder statesmen and political heavyweights of the party to discuss the escalating crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition force.
Among those in attendance were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, ex-Senate President David Mark, and several other PDP stalwarts. Also present were former governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), along with other senior political figures who have played key roles in the party’s history.
The communiqué painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current state under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government. The leaders accused the APC of failing to fulfill its promises and described its reign as catastrophic for the nation.
“The APC government, which came into being through false and malicious propaganda aimed at discrediting the PDP, has turned out to be a national disaster,” the leaders stated. “Every development index that ensures citizens’ comfort and a decent quality of life has collapsed. Life is now unbearable for the average Nigerian.”
Despite acknowledging the PDP’s historical strengths—such as its structure, discipline, and capacity for national leadership—the leaders expressed dismay over the party’s current disintegration. They attributed this to a mix of internal mismanagement and external pressures.
“The PDP has become a shadow of its former self. The heatwave unleashed by the APC government through threats, blackmail, and patronage has caused many elected officials to defect, further weakening the party.”
With this in mind, the group indicated that they may no longer remain within the current framework of the PDP. While no formal declaration of exit was made, the tone of the communiqué strongly suggests that a mass defection or formation of a new political alliance is imminent.
In a call to action, the leaders urged “all well-meaning PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians” to join a new coalition movement aimed at rescuing Nigeria from what they describe as the APC’s destructive governance.
This development underscores the ongoing volatility within Nigeria’s political landscape, with realignments and coalition-building likely to shape the run-up to the 2027 elections.