The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to officially state its position on the coalition being formed by key opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, DAILY GAZETTE has learned that the party may consider joining the alliance on one condition: that it does not lose its distinct identity in the process.

Having ruled Nigeria for 16 years before being unseated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, the PDP remains a major force in opposition politics.

Last week, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, confirmed his participation in a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027.

Atiku’s statement was in response to an earlier call by former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who urged opposition leaders to unite against the APC.

El-Rufai made this call while announcing his decision to leave the APC for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

During a press conference organized by opposition leaders to discuss the President’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, Atiku was asked whether the emerging coalition would be the primary opposition platform against the APC in 2027. He responded unequivocally, saying, “Yes.”

Sources within the PDP have indicated that the party expects Atiku to clarify his position soon. A National Executive Committee (NEC) member, speaking anonymously, stated, “We expect him to shed more light on his decision as we proceed. For now, he is still a high-ranking member of our party, the PDP.”

“We have been following his public statements and engagements, and he hasn’t announced to anyone that he is leaving or has left our party.”

“Yes, he left the party on two previous occasions over the past two decades—first to join Tinubu’s Action Congress (AC) to contest the 2007 presidential election, and then in 2013 or thereabouts to join others in forming the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

“Note, however, that on each of these occasions, he returned to the PDP. Now, whether he is planning to leave to join others or he wants others to come join us to beat the APC rigging machine in 2027, only he can explain.

“For now, from my interactions with members of his team, one thing is clear: this time around, Atiku’s move is a strategic step towards unifying opposition forces against the ruling APC.

“His announcement of the formation of a coalition signals a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, as opposition leaders seek to present a united front against the current administration.

“The proposed coalition is expected to bring together key political parties and stakeholders, including prominent figures like Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“It’s worth noting that Atiku’s decision might not be universally accepted within the PDP, as some members may have different opinions on the best strategy to challenge the APC in 2027.

“Nevertheless, Atiku’s move demonstrates his commitment to opposing the current administration and his willingness to work with other opposition parties to achieve this goal.”

While Atiku’s move is being debated, PDP leaders insist that the party’s identity must remain intact.

A former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, made this clear when he dismissed El-Rufai’s call to join the SDP.

Lamido said, “The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai. You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP.

“He (El-Rufai) once said that there are no elders in Nigerian politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP.”

Questioning El-Rufai’s motivation, Lamido further stated, “Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole.”

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, asserting that the party had not done anything to warrant him leaving for another.

His stance was echoed by Chief Bode George, another founding member of the PDP, who has repeatedly stated his commitment to remaining in the party.

Former House of Representatives member for Kazaure/Roni/Gwiwa/Yankashi Constituency, Gudaji Kazaure, has explained that his recent visit to Atiku Abubakar was in support of the former vice president’s efforts to address Nigeria’s challenges.

According to Naija News, Kazaure, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Jigawa State, revealed that his visit followed a meeting held by Northern elders to discuss the country’s situation.

Speaking on Saturday after his visit to Atiku, Kazaure, alongside other Northern politicians, expressed concern over the abandonment of the electorate by many elected officials.

He also criticized the current administration’s approach to fighting corruption, stating that the government had failed to deliver on its promises.

Explaining his position, Kazaure said, “I visited our father, Atiku Abubakar. I visited him because of the Nigerian problem we are facing now. Politically, all the Northern elders and leaders, we gathered and had a meeting before meeting him. So that let all our politicians come together to find a lasting solution. Because most of our elected people, they abandoned us, they abandoned all what we are trying to make this country great.”

“Many of our problems that we already talked about or we reviewed in the previous administration, none of it was executed. We have nobody in this country that will say we didn’t expose corruption, we didn’t talk about corruption. And this government promised to continue investigating what will be in the future. And up to now, not enough. Nobody invited me, nobody called me, nobody knew whether I am existing or not.”

“So that is why we cooperate to call all our patriotic politicians to come and join one way. And we are here waiting for the instruction of the Northern Nigeria and the Nigerian in general, those who are patriotic and looking for a Nigerian progress. We are ready to follow wherever they carry us. We are ready to go. We don’t care which any party.”

“We are here for the main project of how to save the country. So wherever our elders carry us, we are ready to follow them. This is the reason I visited my father to come and do greeting to him. And he received me with respect, like as a son, and I am grateful for what he said, because he is not thinking for himself.”

“He is thinking for Nigerian people. And whoever thinks for Nigerian people, he is the person that we are supposed to put him on the front. Because Nigerian people first. Nigerian people second. Nigerian people third. And we are ready to serve the country in one way or the other. So this journey of all our political elders, we are ready for them to show us where we are going to. And we are ready to follow, inshallah (sic).”

Amnesty International has called for an independent probe into the allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The human rights organization made this demand in a statement on X, signed by Isa Sanusi, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to immediately institute an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio,” Sanusi stated.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that Akpabio had been suppressing her legislative rights after she rejected his advances.

According to her, she has been prevented from participating in debates and raising issues affecting her constituents in the Senate.

While Akpabio has denied the allegations, the Senate later suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan, citing what it described as her “unruly conduct.”

Amnesty International emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, warning of the broader consequences of inaction.

“The weight and scale of the allegations of the sexual harassment are one more pressing reason for establishing an independent, resourceful and impartial investigation.

“The National Assembly must not continue to look away while the allegations remain and are being trivialized, unaddressed and ignored.

“Blatant failure of the authorities to investigate the allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will have devastating consequences, that include perpetuating a system that makes it increasingly difficult for survivors of sexual harassment to get justice, while allowing perpetrators to get away with gross human rights violations.

“This is one case that the authorities can use to show that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment, no matter who is involved.

“The fear of not being believed, or even being blamed, is already creating a dangerous culture of silence that prevents women who faced sexual harassment from seeking justice. The tide of sexual impunity against women and girls must be turned now,” Sanusi stated.

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has assured that the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex will be completed within six months, before the end of his tenure.

Ibas made this known on Saturday while inspecting the project site, noting that in his first two days in office, he observed a missing pillar in the state’s governance structure.

During the visit, Ibas urged the contractor handling the project to accelerate work and ensure the timely completion of the complex as mutually agreed.

He stressed that part of his mandate is to restore full legislative functions in the state.

Ibas, who was accompanied by Dr. George Nwaeke, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, was led around the site by Engineer Omaka Oko, the General Manager of the contracting firm.

“I had been at the executive arm of the state governance structure, and one of the pillars that is missing for now is the legislature, and for them to function effectively, they also need a place to work from,” Ibas said.

“And perhaps, I am yet to be sure that work is going on as expected, so that by the end of the six months, this place will be ready for those who need to use it. I think basically that is what it is.”

He further expressed confidence in the contractor’s ability to adhere to project timelines.

“They (contractor) have a schedule, and they have timelines that I believe they will like to adhere to. I think the state has done its own bit by providing the necessary funds, I was briefed.”

Ibas emphasized that his appointment was primarily to restore law and order, ensuring that the state returns to normalcy.