In a bid to build a strong and united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disclosed plans to open high-level talks with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The PDP South-South Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ogidi, made this known while speaking on Channels Television, stressing that the consultations are part of efforts to revive the party’s national relevance and reposition it as a formidable opposition force.
Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election and its flag bearer in 2019—with Obi as his running mate—also served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 on the party’s platform. Both Atiku and Obi have since pitched their political tents with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Ogidi said the party has already commenced wide-ranging consultations with key political stakeholders across the country.
> “We’re doing the rounds. We have already seen a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and another former president, IBB. It’s all about seeing those who are important in Nigeria to tell them that we are alive and we’re moving. I know you’re going to ask me about Obi. Yes, we also have plans to see Peter Obi.
Even Atiku Abubakar, as the former vice president of the country, we are going to meet him. You see, PDP is the real face of democracy in Nigeria,” Ogidi said on the breakfast show.
His comments, however, triggered swift reactions from both the Obidient Movement and the ADC, who questioned the feasibility of luring Atiku and Obi back to the PDP.
The Obidient Movement maintained that the PDP is currently grappling with internal crises and lacks the cohesion needed to attract Obi, while the ADC queried how the two leaders—who recently left the main opposition party—could be persuaded to return. The ADC also recalled Atiku’s recent remarks that the party represents the “way forward” and that he is open to collaborating with other groups to rescue Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) has continued its outreach. On Tuesday, party leaders, led by the National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, met with former President Goodluck Jonathan at his Maitama office in Abuja.
Speaking after the meeting, Turaki told journalists:
> “We have his assurance that he remains an active, card-carrying member of the PDP and feels obliged to support the party; the PDP has done enough for him, and he will try his best to do more for the party.”
He described Jonathan’s comments as “very reassuring and encouraging as we prepare for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun, and the 2027 general elections.”
Sources familiar with the developments said multiple consultations are underway to fine-tune different political scenarios ahead of 2027.
One of the sources said:
> “Consultations are going on. Sooner or later, the details will begin to emerge. I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of the consultations. But I can assure you that the consultations will yield concrete results.”
Despite the PDP’s overtures, Atiku Abubakar’s camp reiterated that the ADC remains the most viable platform for opposition alignment ahead of the next general elections.
According to his camp, while the ADC is open to working with other opposition parties and individuals, it believes it offers the strongest foundation for collective action.
> “To that extent, the ADC, of which Atiku Abubakar is a member, has spoken about discussions that would bring about collaboration. Already, they are in the process of holding discussions with parties or individuals who believe that Nigeria and Nigerians deserve a better view than they are currently getting.”
