The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has rejected a proposed coalition with other opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections — a move seen as a major setback for former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
The decision was made during a two-day meeting of PDP governors held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Addressing journalists at the end of the session, Bala Mohammed, the Chairman of the Forum and Bauchi State Governor, announced the forum’s unanimous position against the coalition plan.
“We are open to receiving anyone or any political party that wants to join the PDP,” Mohammed said, emphasising the forum’s preference for internal party strengthening over external alliances.
Formation of coalition
The rejection comes amidst efforts by Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential flag bearer, and Obi of the Labour Party, to build a united opposition front aimed at unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle.
While the idea of a grand opposition coalition has gained momentum in recent months, the PDP governors’ stance reveals internal resistance to such an arrangement — potentially fracturing hopes of a consolidated front.
Political analysts say the PDP’s internal divisions and the governors’ apparent mistrust of merger politics could significantly weaken the opposition’s chances in 2027.
“The PDP needs to put its house in order before thinking of coalitions,” one analyst noted.
This development complicates coalition talks and raises questions about the PDP’s strategy for reclaiming power after back-to-back losses to the APC.
With the 2027 elections still two years away, the future of opposition unity remains uncertain.
