The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning, stating that it would be an arduous task to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election without a united coalition of opposition forces.
The call for unity comes following a merger proposition made by former Vice President and PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during a meeting with the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar cautioned against the looming threat of Nigeria becoming a one-party state under the APC’s rule, asserting, “We have all seen how the APC is increasingly turning Nigeria into a dictatorship of one party. If we don’t come together to challenge what the ruling party is trying to create, our democracy will suffer for it, and the consequences will impact future generations.”
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, emphasized in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH that Atiku’s call for unity was driven by the imperative of safeguarding Nigeria’s future and the welfare of its citizens.
Abdullahi accused the APC of causing hardship for Nigerians and contended that only a genuine coalition of opposition parties could effectively counter the administration led by President Bola Tinubu and the APC.
“We firmly believe that only a merger or a collaborative effort among all opposition political parties will yield a better outcome. Therefore, there is an urgent need for other political parties to recognize that defeating the All Progressives Congress would be an uphill battle without a merger,” said Abdullahi.
He further emphasised, “Other political parties must comprehend the rationale and align themselves with the PDP’s call for a coalition. If they do so, it will be advantageous for Nigeria’s opposition and the citizenry.”
Timothy Osadolor, the PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, concurred with this sentiment, highlighting that opposition parties must work in synergy with the people to have any hope of toppling the ruling party.
