- Stakeholders say PDP may implode as major actors not shifting grounds
- Count my principal out of race – Saraki’s spokesman
- No comment, says Atiku’s aide
- Fayose, Dele Momodu differ on ex-Vice President
Prominent politicians in the opposition People’s Democratic Party are already plotting to weaken the chances of its 2023 presidential flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar.
The February 20, 2027 general election across the country is exactly 821 days away, going by the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Investigations by THE POINT revealed that the party is already factionalised and that the various factions are driven by the 2027 presidential election.
According to sources, the party is already divided into three groups. They are the Wike/ Seyi Makinde group, the Atiku-led faction, and the Bala Mohammed-led axis.
Atiku, a veteran of party primaries, has made no secret of his intention to run again in 2027 and has remained in the country, perhaps to avoid the usual criticism of abandoning the party after elections.
The former vice president recently wrote to the Senate Constitution Review Committee, recommending a single six-year presidential term with mandatory rotation among the six geopolitical zones.
He has said he will continue to vie for the number one office in the land as long as he is alive and healthy.
Atiku, while justifying the number of times he had contested without making headway, said even the former President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, contested seven times before his eventual victory.
His decision comes amidst speculations that he was working on a merger or alliance with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, and other opposition leaders to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
However, sources said that Atiku’s presidential ambitions are unsettling some PDP governors, who have their interests.
The plan, going into 2027, sources within the party said, is to field Governor Seyi Makinde, the incumbent Oyo State governor as candidate of the PDP in 2027, in the understanding that he would not pose a serious threat to President Bola Tinubu’s potential second term bid.
“The plan, going into 2027, sources within the party said, is to field Governor Seyi Makinde, the incumbent Oyo State governor as candidate of the PDP in 2027, in the understanding that he would not pose a serious threat to President Bola Tinubu’s potential second term bid.”
“Makinde will likely run in 2027 as the PDP candidate. He will be completing his tenure in 2027. The idea will be to make the 2027 election a contest between him and Tinubu, but he would already have been compromised such that when APC wins the election, there will be no challenge,” said a source, who craved anonymity.
When The Point reached out to the spokespersons for the three politicians that come under the spotlight, they were not very forthcoming.
The spokespersons also indicated that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for them to be engaged in a discussion that centred on the future aspiration of their bosses.
The spokesperson for the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Yusuf Olaniyonu, when asked whether the former Senate President would be able to fill Atiku’s shoes should the former Vice President step down from the race, said he did not know anything about that.
“I don’t know anything about that. I don’t want to say anything about that.
“I am also not into that (kind of thing) and I don’t think my principal is also into that,” he told our The Point.
Atiku’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, was asked what he (Atiku) would bring to the table in the presidential race if he were to be a contestant, but he replied, “No comment.”
The attempt to contact Obi’s spokesperson, Valentine Obiayanwu, by phone was not successful. The calls were not answered.
However, a political analyst, Moyo Jaji, said of Atiku quitting the 2027 race, “I don’t think that will be possible because Atiku is known to be a ‘perennial wannabe.’ He will still want to be the presidential candidate of the PDP, or wherever he is for the 2027 election.”
Concerning Saraki, Obi or Wike filling Atiku’s shoes, Jaji said, “Saraki has been very, very silent since he left government and Obi is trying to play the opposition game, but in a very wrong direction.
“Obi is just making noise. He is not making sense. How can you be complaining about the President being outside Nigeria and his vice being outside, too?
“That’s not the issue for the time being. There must be a reason why the President is outside the country working on behalf of Nigeria and the same for his vice President, too.
“Wike is a perennial noisemaker. He has no base. Is he in control of his base in Rivers State? If you don’t have a base, why should you be thinking of aspiring to be a presidential candidate?
“And the luggage he is carrying, are they that very clean? Wike is always involved in one wahala or the other. And those people whose path he has crossed, you think they will leave him alone? It’s naturally not possible,” Jaji concluded.
While assessing the PDP’s chances in 2027, the convener of Reset Lagos PDP, Adetokunbo Pearse, said, “Political pundits who think the PDP has a leadership problem are mistaken.
The leadership positions at all levels of the party are intact. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is the party’s presidential candidate emeritus, Senator Wabara is the Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State is chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, and Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum is acting national chairman of the party.”
Pearse, a former member of the PDP National Presidential Campaign Council in 2023, said that contrary to popular opinion, the party did not zone its presidential ticket during the last general election since nobody from any zone was barred from participating in the primary.
He said the emergence of the national chairman determines the zone that would produce the presidential candidate.
From all indications, he said the national chairmanship position will continue in the North and that the presidential ticket will go to the South in the next general election.
Pearse said Makinde could emerge as the party’s flag bearer in 2027 because of the support he enjoys among stakeholders within the party.
He said, “I think this perception is driven by Makinde’s sterling performance as the Oyo State governor, especially his amiable character and commitment to democracy and the rule of law. He runs an inclusive administration.”
Also, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, believes Makinde can be the PDP’s political ace in the contest.
“Given the turn of events, zoning the 2027 presidency to the South West would be informed and strategic for the PDP with a formidable northern consensus in who becomes the running mate. This is to appease Southern sentiments on demographics of region and religion.
“Governor Makinde could be the PDP’s joker in 2027. Ironically, however, the governor hasn’t shown any interest yet, as he seems engrossed in delivering people-oriented and socio-economic infrastructure for his people in Oyo State. He is one of the best performers as a governor in this republic.”
A highly placed source at the heart of the politics of Oyo State said, “Yes, anyone can win elections, but truth be told, in Oyo State then, Makinde swam against the tide; he fought a sitting government, two former governors (Ladoja and the late Adebayo Alao-Akala) who were both on different divides, a sitting minister. Before 2019, the party had zero representation at the national level. However, in the 2019 general election, the PDP, a party hitherto tagged as dead, secured the governorship seat, a senatorial seat and five seats at the House of Representatives.”
Sources also said that the Bauchi State governor, Bala Muhammed, has never hidden his intention to run for the presidency. He lost the 2022 primary to Atiku and is believed to have the support of a sizable number of governors.
In recent months, he has openly challenged Wike while lending his support to Fubara. He has also called for the resignation of the acting national chairman and seems to be pulling the strings behind the scenes.
“I don’t think that will be possible because Atiku is known to be a ‘perennial wannabe.’ He will still want to be the presidential candidate of the PDP, or wherever he is for the 2027 election.”
Shortly after the suspension and counter-suspension, Damagum approached Mohammed and invoked the North East card.
“You can see the chairmen of the North East PDP with me. They came here to support me and to reiterate their commitment that the North East, where they come from, is united.
They also believe in the leadership of the Governors’ Forum chairman,” he said after the meeting.
However, stakeholders in the PDP expressed fears that the main opposition party would implode as the major actors in the strife are not shifting grounds.
I will push my agenda when time comes – Makinde
The Oyo State Governor lent credence to the speculation about his presidential ambition at the weekend when he declared that he is qualified to contest for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking with reporters during a visit to Fashola farm in Oyo town on Friday, Makinde stated that speculations about his political future were unnecessary and unsolicited.
The governor stated that he is old enough to speak for himself on any issue without fear or intimidation, adding that he would do so publicly if he had anything to say about his political future.
He said, “We didn’t host the PDP reporters’ retreat because somebody has a presidential ambition. No comment, nothing. But all I can say to you is, I’m old enough that if I want to do something, I will come out and say, this is what I want to do.
“So, no speculation, nobody can push my agenda. I will push my agenda when the time comes.”
Makinde recalled that with the support of the people of Oyo State, he defied several odds, including two failed Senate attempts before his election as Governor.
He said, “Oyo State people took a decision in 2019. We did not have a godfather. Nobody sponsored me, and nobody gave me a dime for us to get in here, but the people of Oyo State decided we wanted to give this opportunity to an outsider.
“And before that, you will see videos saying, oh, Seyi, what has he done before? Has he been a councillor? No. Has he been to the House of Representatives? No. What about the Senate? I tried twice but was rejected.
“So, experience in politics – No experience in governance, but I’ve done well for myself in business, and they said we’ll give you the opportunity. Before that time, the whole of the South West was APC, consisting of six states.
“But in Oyo State, we chose to be different. Because I had no experience, I wanted to convince the people.
“We produced a document, Road Map to accelerated development of Oyo State, 2019-2023, and I said to the people, this is it in black and white, hold me accountable, and they gave us the opportunity. Thank God it is being done. “
The governor also cautioned Nigerians against allowing the country to slide into a one-party state.
He said, “Nigeria must not slide into a one-party state so that others will have the opportunity to showcase their talents.”
Why Atiku should abandon 2027 presidential bid — Fayose
Also, a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has urged Atiku to end his political ambition of running for the presidency in 2027 and future elections.
Fayose insisted that at a time when Nigerians are seeking younger leaders, political figures like Atiku should learn to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest.
He said, “I am sure, at this stage, with all due respect to him, he would rather step away from the politics of contesting elections again. By the time Asiwaju finishes his term, Atiku Abubakar will probably be 80 or 81. So, what will be the attraction?
“We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. I respect him, and I think Nigerians are craving for a younger generation now more than ever before. So, on what basis will Atiku come and contest again?”
Nigerians have rejected you, Wike slams Atiku
Similarly, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that Atiku has lost relevance in politics.
Atiku had commended the resilient people of Rivers State for their steadfastness in the face of adversity, courageously ensuring that the election unfolded with peace and integrity.
In a statement on his X account, Atiku also lauded the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his unwavering commitment to the interests of the people, safeguarding the sanctity of the local government elections even amidst provocative challenges.
He had said, “With the conclusion of the local government election in Rivers State, the shadows of political intimidation and judicial chicanery have dissipated, paving the way for the noble pursuit of governance to commence in the state.
“From the bustling heart of Port Harcourt to the tranquil shores of Onne, the populace has spoken in harmonious unison, affirming that nothing is greater than democracy.
“As prophesied, it has now been revealed that the citizens of Rivers are astute and resolute, unwavering in their rejection of any form of political oppression, harassment, or the machinations of self-serving godfathers.”
However, reacting to Atiku’s statement during a luncheon in honour of the 10th Rivers State Assembly on Saturday, Wike claimed that Atiku had lost elections so many times.
The former Rivers governor asserted that Atiku had been rejected by Nigerians, having contested the presidential elections in 2019 and 2023 and lost.
He said, “We never contested the local government elections. Did we contest? Did we pick forms? I hear Atiku Abubakar say, ‘Oh, they have rejected me in Rivers State.’ Okay, assuming, though not conceding, that he has lost many times, Nigerians have also rejected him.
“If you say for an election we did not contest, never participated in, that it shows Nigerians have rejected us, fine. You contested and failed woefully, Nigerians have rejected you, so pack up and go home.”
God will determine Atiku’s destiny – Dele Momodu
However, the publisher of Ovation magazine and a prominent figure in the PDP, Dele Momodu, has said that whether Atiku becomes Nigeria’s president in 2027 will be determined by God and destiny.
Momodu addressed criticisms of Abubakar’s presidential ambitions, particularly from former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, who recently urged the former vice president to step aside due to his age. Fayose argued that Nigerians are now seeking younger leaders.
Responding to Fayose’s comments, Momodu stated that no one has the right to dictate how Atiku chooses to pursue his political career.
He questioned why critics seem threatened by the former vice president and pointed out that many of these critics failed to support younger candidates in the 2023 elections.
“Why are they afraid of him?” Momodu asked. He also dismissed age as a barrier, citing examples of older leaders like the U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who have held office in their later years. “Age cannot be an automatic qualification or disqualification in politics,” he added.
Momodu argued that leadership should be judged by performance rather than age, questioning what younger politicians have achieved with the resources available to them.
“If Atiku decides to run, good luck to him. If he doesn’t, no problem. But no one should try to muzzle him,” he said.
When asked if Atiku would be a threat to President Bola Tinubu in 2027, Momodu suggested that those criticizing Atiku believe so, noting that if the former vice president can form a strong political coalition, he could be a formidable contender.
“If the mood of the nation is overwhelmingly opposed to the current leader, Atiku stands a chance in 2027,” he concluded.
