Atiku Denies Defection Rumors, Reaffirms Commitment to PDP and Opposition Coalition
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports claiming he is set to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Reacting through his media office on Saturday, Atiku labeled the reports as false and misleading, emphasizing that he remains a loyal member of the PDP and is instead advocating for a coalition of opposition parties to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rumors of Defection to SDP Unfounded
Recent reports suggested that Atiku was finalizing plans to dump the PDP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as part of his 2027 presidential bid. However, his media office has categorically denied these claims.
“We wish to clarify that the so-called news of Atiku defecting to another party is a total fallacy that holds no merit in logic,” the statement read.
It further explained that Atiku’s political focus is on forging a strong alliance among opposition parties—including the PDP—to present a united front against the APC in 2027.
“It is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping the PDP ship. Such an allegation contradicts the objective of the grand coalition that he is driving alongside other prominent political leaders in the country.”
Commitment to a Grand Opposition Coalition
Atiku’s team reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, stressing that his ongoing consultations with opposition leaders are not about leaving the party but about strengthening efforts to dislodge the APC from power.
“The defection claims are an attempt to confuse Nigerians about the magnitude of the grand coalition at work to rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”
With this clarification, Atiku puts to rest the speculations surrounding his political future, reinforcing his stance as a key figure in Nigeria’s opposition movement ahead of the 2027 elections.