Dalena Reporters l Saturday, February 28, 2026
Abuja — Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has openly condemned recent defections of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that those moves were not voluntary expressions of political alignment but were driven by coercion and fear of political consequences. The former PDP presidential candidate’s remarks signal deepening fractures within Nigeria’s main opposition party as the 2027 general elections draw closer.
In a statement posted on social media Friday, Atiku challenged the narrative that governors joining the APC reflect the ruling party’s strength or popularity. Instead, he argued that such defections stem from pressure applied by political forces within and outside the PDP, suggesting that sitting governors were compelled to shift their allegiance out of fear of punitive actions or political marginalisation.
Atiku’s intervention follows a string of high-profile defections, including the recent defection of the Adamawa State governor and his entire cabinet to the APC — a development that shocked observers and provoked speculation about the stability of PDP’s internal cohesion. Critics in his camp have described these movements as symptomatic of internal leadership crises and as distortions of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The former vice-president urged Nigerians not to interpret the defections as an endorsement of APC’s governance record, noting that shifting party loyalty under duress should not be conflated with genuine political support. He emphasized that the ruling party must demonstrate substantive achievements to win popular trust and that coercive measures undermine democratic choice.
Atiku’s critique highlights ongoing tensions within the PDP regarding strategy, leadership direction and party unity at a time when defections across the political spectrum have become a defining feature of Nigeria’s political landscape. His remarks set the stage for further debate among opposition forces over how best to challenge the incumbent APC and mobilize electoral support ahead of national elections in 2027.