Turaki's PDP Faction Backs G-100 Push to Challenge APC in 2027

A segment of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), operating under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has officially thrown its support behind the G-100 initiative. This move aims to forge a united opposition front in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. The faction's stance was conveyed in a statement released on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, subsequent to the inaugural G-100 gathering held on Monday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The recent summit convened various opposition party representatives to deliberate on potential avenues for collaboration and the feasibility of fielding a single candidate to contest against the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. The PDP faction indicated that its involvement stemmed from the severe economic difficulties and suffering Nigerians are currently facing under the administration led by President Bola Tinubu and the APC.

According to the statement, “The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a responsible opposition party, has endorsed the G-100 (a group of 100 opposition stalwarts) driven process of creating an all-opposition front to challenge the incumbent APC candidate in the 2027 general elections.” The party further elaborated that this decision was prompted by “the wailings of Nigerians groaning under the repressive Bola Tinubu APC-led Federal Government, and the compelling need to join forces with other credible political forces in search of the country’s redemption.”

National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was quoted by the faction, asserting that the party's engagement in the G-100 process is founded on specific guiding principles. Turaki stated, “Our participation is anchored on the promise that the process will be hinged on the philosophical underpinnings of transparency, equality, data-driven decisions and egalitarianism. Any result birthed by a process midwifed by these virtues will certainly offer Nigerians a credible leadership capable of alleviating the skyrocketing poverty and rising insecurity in the country.”

The PDP faction affirmed that its involvement aligns with its previously declared intention to collaborate with other political entities and groups committed to challenging the APC. They emphasized, “This new move aligns with our earlier stated disposition of working with like-minded political parties and organisations desirous of salvaging the country from the many vices orchestrated by the ruling APC.” Furthermore, the faction highlighted that their presence at Monday's meeting served as “a further indication of our preparedness to contribute our quota in the quest for an all-opposition platform that will take power from the incumbent and rebuild Nigeria for the good of all Nigerians.”

The G-100 summit, which saw the attendance of delegates from six distinct opposition parties, concluded with an agreement to initiate a structured negotiation framework concerning inter-party cooperation leading up to the 2027 elections. The participating parties resolved to form standing committees and dedicated working groups. These bodies will be tasked with formulating proposals addressing opposition unity, outlining a national reform agenda, and charting a path towards nominating a unified presidential candidate.

This development unfolds amidst ongoing endeavors by various opposition groups to prevent a recurrence of the vote fragmentation witnessed during the 2023 presidential election, where support was split across multiple opposition contenders such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Notably, both Atiku and Obi were not present at Monday’s gathering. Nonetheless, Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary for the ADC, later clarified that Atiku’s non-attendance held no significant consequence, as the meeting's primary focus was on fostering collaboration among political parties, rather than individual presidential aspirants.