Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing rumors of his planned defection to another political party. In a statement released by his media office on Friday, Atiku clarified that his recent push for a united opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections is a strategic effort to strengthen opposition forces against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), not an indication of his departure from the PDP.
The statement described reports of Atiku’s defection as “completely false and lacking any logical basis.” Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has been vocal about the need for opposition parties to unite in order to effectively challenge the APC’s dominance.
“Atiku is advocating for a strong coalition that includes all opposition parties, with the PDP playing a central role,” the statement emphasized. The former vice president believes that only a united opposition can counter the APC, which he accuses of causing economic hardship and governance failures across Nigeria.
The statement strongly denied claims that Atiku was planning to leave the PDP, describing such rumors as baseless and misleading. “It is entirely false to suggest that the Waziri is abandoning the PDP. Such claims contradict the very purpose of the broad coalition he is working to build with other prominent political leaders in the country,” it read.
Atiku’s media office reiterated that he remains a “dedicated and bona fide member of the PDP,” which continues to be Nigeria’s leading opposition party. As the political landscape evolves ahead of the 2027 elections, Atiku has been actively engaging with key opposition figures to create a formidable alliance against the APC.
His calls for unity have fueled speculation about potential mergers, alliances, or even the formation of a new political movement. While details of the proposed coalition remain unclear, Atiku’s actions suggest he aims to play a pivotal role in challenging the APC’s hold on power.
The statement also cautioned Nigerians against falling for misinformation, noting that attempts to distort Atiku’s position are designed to weaken the opposition’s efforts to present a strong challenge in the 2027 elections.
