A Lagos State chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Laja Adeoye, has said the party remains intact despite the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting PDP will emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeoye, a House of Representatives aspirant for the Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency, made this assertion in an interview with correspondents on Friday in Lagos.
Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in both the 2019 and 2023 elections, announced his resignation from the party on Wednesday, citing unresolved internal disputes. Though he has yet to formally declare for another party, his coalition of opposition leaders recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their platform for the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development, Adeoye said the former vice president’s departure could pave the way for greater cohesion within the PDP.
“PDP cannot die because one man left. As you know, this is not the first time Atiku is exiting the PDP—the party stands, regardless,” he said. “His unrelenting presidential ambition had unsettled the party, and now, his exit will bring the peace and tranquility the PDP needs to move forward.”
According to Adeoye, the ongoing internal reorganisation within the PDP positions it for a comeback.
“PDP is rebuilding and will be stronger ahead of the 2027 election. One thing is certain—many of those who left for ADC, including Atiku, will soon realise there’s no clear path there and will return to the PDP,” he added.
He said while he was not opposed to the idea of a coalition of political parties, any successful alliance must be led by the PDP.
“A coalition can work only when PDP, the largest party in Africa, leads it. Anything short of that is a waste of time,” Adeoye said.
NAN reports that prominent political figures such as Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi are among those reportedly backing the coalition aligned with the ADC.
(NAN)