Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President, has made a bold statement that any politician, particularly from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who is against the concept of a coalition, is indirectly supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) to establish a one-party rule in the nation.
Abubakar, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, emphasized that the only strategy to liberate the country from the grip of the ruling APC in the forthcoming election is by forming a coalition or merging political parties.
However, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) recently announced after its 587th meeting that the party is not involved in any discussions about merging, fusing, or amalgamating with any other political party.
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s spokesperson, revealed this news to the press after the NWC meeting, asserting that the party is capable of winning elections independently. The party, therefore, encouraged everyone to ignore any news suggesting any form of merger between the PDP and any other political party, stating that such a move is not being considered by the party.
This statement from the party came after Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), had a meeting with Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, all members of the PDP. This meeting sparked rumors that a proposed coalition or merger might be underway.
However, in a discussion with the National Coalition for PDP Support Group, which visited him in Abuja, Abubakar stated, “Any PDP member who opposes the merger with other political groups is a fifth columnist working for the APC to convert the country into a one-party state.”
Engr Anucha Katchy, the chairman of the group, expressed their confidence in Abubakar due to his strong sense of patriotism and proven track record in office. He also cautioned the former VP to be wary of flatterers among the youth and women groups in the party, who constitute the majority of eligible voters.