Atiku’s Camp Warns PDP May Be Walking Into APC’s Trap Amid Party Turmoil

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s faction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned that the party risks falling into a trap laid by President Bola Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

This warning comes in the wake of the PDP National Executive Committee’s (NEC) recent affirmation of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary—a move Atiku’s camp has dismissed as a “scam” that fails to resolve ongoing crises within the party.

The PDP NEC’s decision, announced by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagun after a closed-door meeting in Abuja, ends months of infighting surrounding Anyanwu’s role, especially after his 2023 Imo State governorship bid. Anyanwu’s insistence on retaining the national secretary position while contesting elections had divided party members, with some backing SKE Udeh-Okoye as his replacement.

Paul Ibe, media aide to Atiku, criticized the resolution, alleging those managing the crisis are colluding with the APC to dismantle the PDP. He condemned the intimidation of party elders by security agents and warned the opposition party is being maneuvered into self-destruction by “enablers” within its ranks.

“It’s a replica of military dictatorship tactics,” Ibe said, urging vigilance against efforts to force a one-party state.

Contrastingly, Barrister Ray Nnaji, former PDP National Auditor, praised the NEC decision as overdue and necessary for party rebuilding. He blamed the party’s Governors Forum for failing to act decisively earlier to address the Anyanwu controversy and other leadership gaps.

Nnaji emphasized that proactive steps, including timely appointments and constitutional adherence, could have averted prolonged internal conflicts. He urged the PDP to now focus on renewal and unity to remain a credible opposition force.

Meanwhile, as PDP struggles with internal challenges, opposition leaders—including former PDP stalwarts—and some APC members convened in Abuja to formally adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the united opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.