PDP Denies Joining 2027 Coalition, Says Its Focus Is On National Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified that it has not made any official decision to join the emerging coalition movement seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed reports circulating on social media that claimed the party had directed its members to align with the coalition.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NWC states in clear terms that the PDP has not taken any official position on the issue of the Coalition,” Ologunagba said.

According to him, the PDP is currently focused on preparations for its upcoming National Convention and on consolidating unity within its ranks.

“The PDP is for now focused on building and consolidating on attained unity, stability and strengthening of its structures and capacity to play its roles as the leading opposition Party determined to return to power in 2027,” Ologunagba stated.

The PDP has been grappling with internal challenges since the 2023 presidential election, culminating in intensified disputes over key positions, particularly the office of the National Secretary. 

The controversy was eventually resolved in favour of Senator Samuel Anyanwu during the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Monday.

Despite this resolution, the party has experienced a wave of defections, with some members pledging support for the new coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). 

Prominent political figures such as former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President and interim ADC National Chairman, David Mark, and former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, have expressed support for the ADC-led coalition.

These leaders, some of whom have either exited the PDP or signaled an intention to collaborate with the ADC while still retaining party membership, recently convened at a coalition strategy meeting at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. 

A communiqué signed by David Mark urged Nigerians and PDP members to support the coalition’s mission to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Reacting to these developments, PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, maintained that the party remains united and warned that disciplinary actions would be taken against members working to destabilise its structures.

Meanwhile, Ologunagba reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to engaging with other political actors and Nigerians who share its vision of rescuing the country from what he described as the “rudderless and insensitive APC-led administration.”

“Nevertheless, as a major opposition Party with a very strong presence and bond with Nigerians across the country, the PDP restates that it remains open to working with other well-meaning, like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation,” he concluded.

The PDP assured that it is actively putting necessary structures in place to reclaim its electoral momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.