Governors elected under the platform of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have firmly ruled out any possibility of a merger or coalition with other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. This declaration comes amidst ongoing political realignments and speculations about potential alliances as Nigeria’s major parties gear up for the next electoral cycle.
The resolution was a major outcome of the PDP Governors Forum’s 24th general meeting for the 2025 political year, held on Monday at the Oyo State Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, in Ibadan. The meeting brought together state governors elected on the PDP ticket to strategize on party reforms and national issues.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum, its Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, reiterated the governors’ commitment to strengthening the PDP as a standalone national platform. He stressed that the party would not pursue any alliance that could dilute its identity or ideological foundations.
“We are not considering any merger or coalition with any political party. Our resolve is to reposition the PDP as the credible alternative Nigerians can trust in 2027,” Mohammed stated.
The PDP, Nigeria’s oldest surviving political party, was in power at the federal level from 1999 until 2015, when it lost the presidency to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Since then, it has struggled with internal divisions, leadership crises, and electoral setbacks.
Legal Clarity on Emergency Powers
In a move to protect Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, the Forum also resolved to seek a definitive interpretation from the Supreme Court regarding the federal government’s authority to declare a state of emergency. The governors expressed concerns over potential abuses of this constitutional provision, particularly in states controlled by opposition parties.
This comes amid increased tensions between some state governments and federal authorities over issues related to security and governance, with critics accusing the federal government of using emergency powers for political purposes.
“We want clarity from the Supreme Court to prevent any arbitrary or politically motivated declaration of emergency in our states,” said Governor Mohammed.
Preparations for PDP National Convention
The Forum also resolved to work closely with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for May 27, 2025. This is part of broader preparations for the party’s national convention, now scheduled to hold from August 28 to 30, 2025, in Kano.
To ensure equitable distribution of party positions and to reflect Nigeria’s diversity, the governors recommended the constitution of a Zoning Committee, which will be tasked with allocating leadership positions across the six geopolitical zones.
Proposed members of the Zoning Committee include:
- Chairman: Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa)
- Vice Chairman: Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara)
- Secretary: Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau)
For the National Convention Committee, the Forum recommended:
- Chairman: Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa)
- Vice Chairman: Governor Ademola Adeleke (Osun)
- Secretary: Governor Peter Mbah (Enugu)
The PDP’s strategic restructuring efforts are widely seen as attempts to resolve lingering internal disputes and rebuild voter confidence ahead of the 2027 elections. Political analysts say the party’s ability to present a united front will be critical to its chances of reclaiming power from the APC-led federal government.
