By Abiola Olawale
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has doubled down on his push for a coalition to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, dismissing opposition from governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This comes as Atiku, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the PDP, in a bold statement, told a delegation of the party that the “coalition train has left the station.”
Atiku’s remarks come after PDP governors had resisted the merger talks, preferring that external figures join the PDP rather than forming a new coalition.
Recall that the PDP governors had affirmed their belief in the party, saying that they wouldn’t be part of any merger talks.
However, Atiku, who took to his official X handle, said he met with a delegation of the PDP from Nasarawa state, led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana, and members of National Opinion Leaders, headed by Yusuf Sheriff Banki, where he expressed his intention of continuing with the merger talks.
According to him, the coalition is in the best interest of Nigeria.
He asserted: “Yesterday, I met with a delegation of two groups, during which I briefed them about the status of the pan-Nigerian coalition that I am building in conjunction with other leaders and stakeholders across political divides and regions.
“I informed them that the Nigerian Movement is being powered by Nigerians desirous of reclaiming and rebuilding their country from across the nooks and crannies of our country.
“Indeed, the Coalition Train has left the station and would have multiple stops to bring on board Nigerians of all shades. First was the meeting with a delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Nasarawa State, led by Alhaji Jibirin Sabo Keana, and a delegation of National Opinion leaders, led by Yusuf Sheriff Banki.”
