Prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly shifting their support from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as their favored candidate for the 2027 presidential elections.
This shift follows recent efforts by PDP governors to mediate peace among conflicting factions within the party.
Sources within the PDP National Working Committee indicate a growing endorsement for Makinde, aiming to thwart Atiku’s potential nomination.
Criticism of Atiku has intensified, with some party leaders blaming him for mishandling the party’s 2023 campaign and failing to reconcile with a faction of five governors who had expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership at the time.
An anonymous source remarked, “Every election cycle, you are given a presidential ticket; you bungle it. Atiku was not serious about winning that presidency.”
The source noted that the losses in the last election could have been avoided had Atiku sought reconciliation with the aggrieved governors.
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In contrast, Makinde has publicly asserted his readiness to contest for the presidency, stating he is capable of articulating his political ambitions without external pressure. He warned against the risks of a one-party state in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, dismissed concerns regarding the support for Makinde, urging focus on pressing national issues rather than premature election discussions. “We are concerned about the welfare of Nigerians,” he emphasized.
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