ABUJA — PDP leaders are reportedly charting a course for departure from their party as internal turmoil intensifies. Key figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, and former Senate President David Mark, are among those weighing an exit. This potential wave of departures emerged from a communiqué issued after a private meeting of the Concerned Leaders of the PDP in Abuja on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The closed-door session focused on the party’s challenging present and uncertain future.
The communiqué detailed discussions from the private meeting, where strategies and deep-seated grievances regarding the PDP’s internal crisis were debated. Notable attendees who shared their concerns included former Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Babangida Aliyu, Liyel Imoke, and Sam Egwu. Collectively, these influential figures represent a substantial faction within the party’s leadership structure.
The leaders also voiced sharp criticism of the federal government’s performance, directly targeting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). They asserted that the APC has failed to govern the nation effectively. Their communiqué highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with the APC’s policies and their impact on the country.
APC’s Performance in Nigerian Politics
The opposition figures declared the APC government a failure, stating, “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.” This forceful assertion clearly conveys their perspective on the APC’s impact on the nation.
The communiqué also directly addressed the internal state of the Peoples Democratic Party. The leaders expressed significant concern over the party’s evident weakening. They characterised the PDP as having lost its historic organisational strength and broad electoral appeal.
The leaders attributed the PDP’s declining capacity to external pressures. They specifically accused the APC of employing tactics to destabilize the opposition. These tactics, described as involving “threats, blackmail and patronage,” have, in their view, fractured the PDP’s internal cohesion. This ongoing PDP crisis clearly hampers its ability to function effectively.
A New Coalition for Nigerian Politics
The document lamented the current state of the party, stating, “PDP, which is organic with the discipline, capacity, and history to lead and save Nigeria, is now a shadow of its old self.” This quote encapsulates the leaders’ belief that the party has drifted from its foundational strengths and historical mission.
Consequently, the Concerned Leaders have issued an urgent call for national unity. They are urging all loyal PDP members and patriotic Nigerians to unite. Their goal is to forge a broad coalition aimed at “rescuing the nation” from its present difficulties.
By Abdullah Korede
