By Hauwa Umar
Barring any last-minute change, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to meet in Ibadan, Oyo State, between Sunday and Monday to deliberate on the future of the party amid intensifying calls for a united opposition front ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The strategic gathering, to be hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, is coming at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s main opposition party, which continues to grapple with internal discord, leadership questions, and a declining national footprint following its defeat in the 2023 general elections.
Insiders within the PDP Governors’ Forum confirm that the Ibadan meeting is expected to go beyond routine party talks, as pressure mounts from political stakeholders and civil society groups urging the PDP to lead a broader coalition of opposition parties to checkmate the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Discussions will reportedly focus on the party’s internal restructuring, reconciliation of aggrieved members, and rejuvenation of grassroots support across key states. The meeting is also expected to revisit the contentious issue of zoning and regional representation, which fractured the party in the buildup to the 2023 elections.
There is also growing speculation that some governors will table the possibility of initiating early conversations around a consensus presidential candidate for 2027—a move some see as necessary, while others warn could reignite tensions if not properly handled.
A source close to one of the attendees hinted that this may be the PDP’s last opportunity to rebrand itself as a credible alternative to the APC. “This is not just another meeting. The stakes are high. Nigerians are watching to see if the PDP will rise to the occasion or fall further into irrelevance,” the source said.
This marks one of the most crucial political gatherings since the last polls, and may serve as the bedrock for a potential merger or alliance with other opposition forces such as the Labour Party (LP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and various civil society movements disillusioned by the current economic realities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Political analysts argue that unless the opposition forms a unified bloc with a clear, people-driven agenda, the 2027 elections may once again be a walkover for the ruling party. The Ibadan meeting may very well be the first significant step—or misstep—on the road to that future.