PDP suffering from incurable virus - BABACHIR LAWAL rules out possibility of coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party

Thursday, May 22, 2025 - Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has disclosed that political figures working to build a formidable opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections have ruled out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a viable platform. 

Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, |May 21, Lawal revealed that the coalition’s technical committee is currently deliberating on whether to register a new party or adopt and revamp an existing one.

Lawal confirmed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is a committed member of the group championing the coalition, which aims to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election cycle. He said the coalition consists of like-minded politicians who have agreed to work together against the current ruling party.

When asked why the PDP has not been considered as the base platform for the coalition, despite Atiku’s involvement, Lawal was blunt in his response. “In all the meetings I’ve attended so far, nobody has ever bothered about adopting the PDP as the platform. We all agree that PDP has an incurable virus. No anti-biotics can cure what is ailing the PDP and we don’t want to go into a house that we cannot modify that is not willing to change,” he stated.

Lawal added that the group is aware of growing public interest in the nature of their political platform and assured that an official announcement would be made soon to clarify the coalition’s direction. His remarks suggest that Atiku may eventually leave the PDP, which continues to grapple with internal discord following its loss in the 2023 presidential election.

The PDP has been facing an unresolved leadership crisis, particularly surrounding the national secretary position contested by Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu. Despite various attempts at reconciliation, divisions within the party persist, further weakening its appeal as a united opposition force.

Lawal’s comments underscore the coalition’s desire for a fresh, unified political structure distinct from existing parties, signaling a potential realignment in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.