Atiku Leaving Won’t Destroy PDP – Party Leader

A Lagos State leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Laja Adeoye, says the party will not collapse because Atiku Abubakar has left. Instead, he believes PDP will become stronger as the 2027 elections approach. Adeoye, who wants to represent Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos. NAN had earlier reported that Atiku, who was the PDP presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, announced his departure from the party on Wednesday. He blamed ongoing problems within the party for his decision. Although Atiku hasn’t officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the coalition of opposition leaders he is part of recently declared that they would use the ADC as their platform for the 2027 elections. Reacting to this, Adeoye said Atiku’s exit might actually bring peace to the PDP. He believes Atiku’s strong desire to become president has caused tension within the party. He said: “PDP cannot die just because one person left. This is not the first time Atiku is leaving PDP, and the party has always survived. PDP is rebuilding and will be stronger by 2027. Many people who ran to ADC will come back when they see PDP growing stronger. Even Atiku may return when he sees there’s no real path in ADC.” Adeoye also said he doesn’t oppose the idea of opposition parties coming together, but he believes PDP must lead such a coalition. “PDP is the biggest party in Africa. Any coalition without PDP leading is a waste of time,” he said. NAN also reports that several well-known politicians like Peter Obi, Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi are already part of the new coalition.