Olushola Omogbehin
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, held a meeting on Wednesday with former Senate President David Mark and ex-Minister of Interior, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, on possible political realignment for the 2027 elections.
Makinde described the meeting which took place at David Mark’s residence in Apo, Abuja, as “a show of solidarity and the resolution of the delegation to defend democracy.
Thought Makinde declined to revealing the purpose of the meeting, sources close to the meeting, said discussions focused on collaboration between the PDP and ADC, including power-sharing arrangements, choice of platform, and broader opposition strategy aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu.
PDP fashion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has in a statement released by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee through its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed reports linking the PDP to any alliance talks with the ADC.
As the PDP and ADC, are currently grappling with internal leadership battle and with a recent Court of Appeal ruling, the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has tightened its fist on the PDP.
Present at the meeting include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, factional PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, SAN, former Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, former Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Peter Obi (Anambra), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, and PDP National Secretary, Taofeeq Arapaja.
“We came here to visit the leadership of the ADC. We are on a solidarity visit. We have seen what has been happening within the political space, including the protest today.
“So, we came to show solidarity and to commit to a truly democratic space in our country.”
The governor declined further comment when asked if they had agreed to work together.
After the meeting, Ememobong issued a statement noting that the gathering underscored the need for vigilance against actions that could threaten democratic principles and political plurality.
“The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party paid a solidarity visit to the leadership of the African Democratic Congress over the recent political attacks targeted at Nigeria’s opposition parties.
“During the visit, the PDP acknowledged the growing and shared threat confronting opposition political parties in the country, noting that similar pressures have been experienced by the PDP in recent times. The delegation emphasised the need for vigilance in the face of actions capable of undermining democratic principles and political plurality,” he said.
In their reaction, the ADC leadership expressed appreciation to the PDP for the visit and reiterated the existential threat facing democracy in Nigeria, particularly through the targeted weakening of major opposition parties.
Both parties affirmed the need for continued engagement in defence of democratic values and institutions.”
