Five governors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly working with former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to weaken the PDP and support a Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai coalition ticket for the 2027 presidential election, as reported by DAILY INDEPENDENT.
El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, has been critical of the current government.
Recently, he called for alliances across political parties. Many believe this means he does not plan to run under the PDP.
Sources say El-Rufai and Atiku have met several times in recent weeks. Their most publicized meeting was during a condolence visit to the family of the late Niger Delta leader, Edwin Clark.
A political insider revealed that Atiku, El-Rufai, and five PDP governors have agreed to dismantle the PDP for a coalition. Their goal is to prevent the party from being a strong competitor in the next election.
They want to avoid the mistake of 2023, where PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP split votes, making it easier for the ruling APC to win.
The plan is to ensure the PDP does not even appear on the ballot. This will force opposition voters to focus on the El-Rufai/Obi alliance against President Bola Tinubu’s APC.
Reports suggest that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is leading the effort. His relationship with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has turned sour.
Wike, now serving as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under APC, still holds influence in the PDP. Fubara, feeling sidelined, sees the El-Rufai/Obi alliance as his best option.
Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, is also said to be part of the group.
Additionally, a second-term PDP governor from the North-East and two other PDP governors have reportedly joined. These governors want key ministerial positions if the plan succeeds
