A growing coalition of opposition leaders has accused governors within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of working against democratic ideals by weakening the opposition and inadvertently advancing President Bola Tinubu’s political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group, spearheaded by key opposition figures, issued a strong statement criticizing recent moves by PDP governors who rejected efforts to form a united opposition front. The PDP Governors’ Forum, at its April 14 meeting, openly opposed the initiative to establish a broad-based alliance of political parties and civil society groups aimed at unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the coalition, the stance taken by the PDP governors exposes a deliberate strategy to frustrate any meaningful challenge to President Tinubu’s hold on power. In a scathing response, the coalition’s spokesperson, Salihu Moh. Lukman, stated that such actions are undermining Nigeria’s democratic foundation and betraying the very essence of political opposition.
“For over a decade, Nigerians have waited for the PDP to reinvent itself and provide credible opposition,” Lukman said. “But instead, the party fell into political dormancy, only to be reawakened by actors seemingly aligned with the interests of the ruling APC.”
He argued that key figures within the PDP, particularly some state governors, are intentionally obstructing efforts to revitalize the opposition. He pointed out that this is not just political rivalry, but a dangerous game that risks silencing dissent and eroding the principles of multi-party democracy.
The coalition described the PDP’s internal challenges as self-inflicted, noting the absence of vital party organs such as the National Executive Committee (NEC), which has not convened in over two years. “No one can say who truly controls the PDP anymore. This is not just dysfunction – it’s collapse,” Lukman declared.
The group also alleged that certain political figures within the PDP are acting as proxies for the ruling party, intentionally creating division to scatter votes in 2027. “Some PDP leaders are not opposition figures in the true sense – they’re Trojan horses,” he added.
Central to the coalition’s concern is the claim that some PDP governors are usurping party powers, leaving other decision-making bodies sidelined. “This kind of internal autocracy only mirrors the very failings the opposition should be fighting against,” the group warned.
Despite the resistance, the coalition says it is pushing forward with plans to build a formidable political platform. Its ultimate aim, they said, is to restore integrity to Nigeria’s democratic system through political negotiations, collaboration, and genuine reform.
“The focus is not just about removing Tinubu or the APC – it’s about rebuilding Nigeria’s democracy from the ground up,” Lukman explained. “This requires sincerity, structure, and the political will to challenge the status quo.”
While extending an open invitation to like-minded political actors to join the movement, the coalition emphasized that the door remains open for PDP leaders willing to realign themselves with the broader national interest.
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The coalition includes some of the most influential political heavyweights across party lines. Alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the movement features former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai; and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
Other notable figures include former APC National Chairman and ex-Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; former Rivers Governor and ex-Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi; and former Ekiti Governor and ex-Minister of Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi.
The group is expected to unveil its structure and agenda in the coming weeks, as momentum builds towards a national movement capable of redefining the country’s political landscape.
