Abuja, April 10, 2025 – A high-stakes meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heavyweights, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki and several state governors, unfolded behind closed doors at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The gathering, described by sources as a critical step toward the 2027 presidential election, centered on forging a united front among opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The summit brought together prominent PDP figures, including Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, alongside Saraki, a former Kwara State governor and one of the party’s most influential voices. Insiders reveal that discussions focused on crafting a coalition strategy, building on earlier calls from party leaders to "fix" the PDP and rally opposition forces following its defeat in the 2023 general elections.
Saraki, who reportedly returned to Nigeria from abroad just days prior, underscored the meeting’s urgency with his presence. Sources close to the event claim he arrived from London specifically for the talks, though his media team has yet to confirm his exact travel itinerary. Earlier this week, on April 7, Saraki was in Saudi Arabia performing Lesser Hajj, according to Daily Trust, suggesting a swift return to engage in the political maneuvering now underway. His aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, declined to comment on specifics when contacted, but Saraki’s active role signals his renewed commitment to shaping the PDP’s future.
The absence of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, was notable, though hardly unexpected. The former vice president has maintained a selective presence at party events since last year’s election loss, including skipping a Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) gathering in November 2024. However, his influence loomed large at the Abuja summit, with key allies and loyalists said to be representing his interests. “Atiku’s camp is fully engaged,” a source familiar with the proceedings told this newspaper, hinting at behind-the-scenes coordination despite his physical absence.
The meeting comes amid growing speculation about the PDP’s next moves. In November 2024, Saraki publicly urged the party to resolve internal divisions and prepare for 2027, a sentiment echoed by Governor Makinde during a separate event in Oyo State. Wednesday’s summit appears to be a tangible step in that direction, with talks reportedly extending beyond coalition-building to include potential leadership reshuffles and policy priorities to rebrand the party for voters disillusioned with the APC’s tenure.
While details of the discussions remain tightly guarded—lending the summit an air of secrecy—observers see it as a pivotal moment for the opposition. “This is about survival and relevance,” said political analyst Chidi Okoye. “The PDP knows 2027 is a make-or-break election, and they’re pulling out all stops to unify and strategize.”
The inclusion of other opposition parties in the coalition talks remains a key point of intrigue. Names like the Labour Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which made waves in 2023, have surfaced in speculation, though no official outreach has been confirmed. Sources suggest the PDP aims to present a broad, cohesive alternative to the APC, potentially replicating the successful opposition mergers of 2015 that ousted then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
As the summit concluded late Wednesday, attendees dispersed without public statements, leaving the political class buzzing with anticipation. Saraki, spotted departing the venue in a convoy of black SUVs, offered no comment to waiting reporters, his silence amplifying the mystery surrounding the PDP’s next play. With 2027 still two years away, this Abuja gathering may well mark the opening salvo in what promises to be a fiercely contested race.
Tags
News