Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on party members and other patriotic Nigerians to rally behind a proposed opposition coalition aimed at unseating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

At a strategic meeting held on Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the PDP heavyweights, under the banner of “Concerned Leaders of the PDP,” warned that the party’s current state and the worsening national condition under the APC demanded urgent and bold action.

The high-level gathering, presided over by former Senate President David Mark, included influential figures such as former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus; former governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); as well as other top PDP stalwarts including Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Senator Austin Akobundu, Kola Ologbondiyan, and Abdullahi Maibasira.

In a communiqué read by Senator Mark, the group expressed deep concern over the PDP’s decline since the 2023 presidential election and the resignation of former National Chairman Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. They warned that internal divisions and external suppression by the APC have weakened the PDP’s capacity to function as a credible opposition.

“Our dear party has never been the same again,” the leaders lamented. “The vision of the founding fathers has been eroded, and the APC-led federal government is using state institutions to stifle opposition and destroy democracy.”

The group noted that Nigeria, under the APC, is facing a severe collapse of governance, economic hardship, insecurity, and growing international embarrassment. They described the ruling party as a “disaster to our nation” and insisted that it must be voted out to rescue Nigeria.

Against this backdrop, the leaders called on all loyal PDP members and progressive Nigerians to join forces in a broad-based political coalition committed to national unity, democratic governance, economic revival, and the fight against corruption.

“The PDP, with its organic structure, capacity, and history, remains the most credible platform to lead this charge,” the communiqué stated. “However, it must be rebuilt through unity and strategic alliances with other pro-democracy forces.”

Sources familiar with the discussions suggest that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is being considered as a possible platform for the coalition. Also present at the meeting was Dr. Umar Ardo, a key promoter of the emerging All Democratic Alliance (ADA), indicating the potential for a wide-reaching political realignment.

The PDP leaders resolved to work with other opposition groups to develop electoral strategies tailored to both national and local contexts, with the ultimate goal of reclaiming power in 2027.

“This is a call to action,” the leaders declared. “We urge all committed PDP members and other patriotic Nigerians to join the coalition effort to save our democracy and restore Nigeria’s dignity.”

With this renewed push, Atiku, Mark, and other PDP elders have signaled a decisive move to unify the opposition and mount a serious challenge to the APC’s continued hold on power.

The meeting lamented that “The APC government, which came into being on the false and evil propaganda to save Nigeria from PDP, is now a disaster to our nation and therefore must be voted out of power.

“All indices of development that support the comfort and quality of life of the citizens have collapsed, and life is now hell in Nigeria.

“The PDP, which is organic with the discipline, capacity, and history to lead and save Nigeria, is now a shadow of its old self. The heatwave unleashed by the APC Federal government through threats, blackmail, and patronage has forced elected officers in government to abandon the PDP.”