PDP hostilities deepens as Atiku insists on contesting 2027 presidential election
There are strong indications that the crisis currently rocking the Peopled Democratic Party (PDP) may not end any time soon as Atiku Abubakar is set to relaunch his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku, a former Vice President, had lost to President Bola Tinubu at the 2023 polls.
Subsequently, his petitions against Tinubu’s victory were dismissed by both the election tribunal and Supreme Court.
Atiku, who is strongly believed to be warming up already for the 2027 race, is currently plotting to retain his grip on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Politics Nigeria understands.
It was gathered that since Atiku lost his election petition against President Tinubu in the Supreme Court, he has shifted his attention to 2027 presidency.
But Atiku and his loyalists are uncomfortable with the party’s acting national chairman, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, who they accused of being loyal to FCT minister, Nyesom Wike and his G-5 faction.
Attempts to remove Damagum by Atiku’s camp has so far been unsuccessful.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Having lost the last Presidential Election, Atiku is plotting to have a firm grip of the PDP to be able to contest again in 2027. He still believes that he has a better chance.
“That is the main reason why he is yet to relocate to Dubai in the UAE. Contrary to his claim, he is not protecting any democracy in the country.
“The former VP and his team recognised that his major setback in the last election was not being able to totally control the PDP structure. There was internal dissent in the party but without sanctions.
He used what I would describe as a make-shift PDP structure for the last presidential election.
“During the campaign and the general election, the party was weak, and after the poll, the party was not strong enough to assail him.
“The Atiku camp is unhappy with Damagum for pandering to the whims and caprices of PDP leaders like Wike.
“Atiku’s major obstacle is that the party’s leadership is being controlled by two groups, including Wike/the G-5 and the PDP Governors’ Forum, which is headed by Governor Bala Mohammed, who may challenge him for the party’s ticket for 2027 poll,” the source added.
