Abuja, Nigeria – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reaffirmed his allegiance to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite recent speculation about a possible defection ahead of the 2027 general election.
Responding to this development, Dare Glintstone Akinniyi, spokesperson for the PDP National Youth Group, advised Atiku to adopt a more aggressive and strategic approach as the next election cycle approaches. In an interview with Legit.ng on Sunday, April 6, Akinniyi emphasized the importance of building a unified opposition coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to Akinniyi, the 2027 election cannot be won by relying on outdated political tactics. He urged Atiku to not only confirm his intention to contest but also to begin rallying support from key opposition figures like Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“Atiku has clarified that he remains a loyal member of the PDP. However, staying in the party is not enough—he must lead a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders who want a better Nigeria,” Akinniyi stated.
He added, “The next election is no playground. Atiku must understand that the APC will not play fair, and neither should the opposition. It’s time for bold leadership, not diplomacy.”
Rumors of Atiku’s defection had circulated after a post from a Facebook page, Adamawa Happenings, falsely claimed he had exited the PDP. His media aide, Paul Ibe, swiftly dismissed the report, describing it as fake news and affirming Atiku’s commitment to the opposition party.
Still, Akinniyi stressed that Atiku cannot afford to wait or be passive.
“President Tinubu has shown he’s willing to take extreme measures, as we’ve seen in Rivers State. The PDP must rise to the occasion or risk being irrelevant. Atiku should take charge now and declare his presidential bid,” Akinniyi said.
He further argued that certain figures within the PDP, such as former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike, cannot be counted on and should not be a factor in the party’s strategy going forward.
“Let’s be honest—Wike and his allies are unreliable. Atiku needs to stop trying to win them over and instead focus on building a formidable alliance with Obi, El-Rufai, and other dissatisfied leaders,” he concluded.
