📍 Abuja, Nigeria | April 25, 2025
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has finally broken his silence on the escalating wave of defections rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party. In a carefully-worded statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account this Friday afternoon, the seasoned politician addressed the recent high-profile exits from PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with a mix of philosophical acceptance and subtle warning.
The statement comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s opposition politics, following Wednesday’s seismic defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Iheme, and nearly a dozen commissioners to the APC camp. Even more telling are the strong indications that Ifeanyi Okowa, Atiku’s running mate in the last presidential election and Oborevwori’s predecessor as Delta governor, is finalizing his own move to the ruling party.
The Full Context of Atiku’s Statement
1️⃣ On Democratic Fundamentals
Atiku’s message struck a statesmanlike tone, framing the defections within broader democratic principles rather than as personal betrayals:
“Freedom of association and expression are not optional decorations in a democracy – they are its very foundation stones. Alongside these stand the indispensable pillars of any functional democratic society: sovereign power residing with the people, unshakable rule of law, electoral integrity, and transparent accountability. When any of these are compromised, democracy doesn’t just weaken – it begins disintegrating.”
2️⃣ Direct Response to Recent Defections
While not mentioning names, the veiled references were unmistakable:
“In recent days, we’ve witnessed political actors making choices about their affiliations. As someone who has participated in every electoral cycle since 1999, I recognize this as part of our democratic maturation. What matters isn’t the occasional crossing of aisles, but whether such movements serve or subvert democratic health.”
3️⃣ 2027 Election Implications
The statement carried subtle warnings about Nigeria’s sliding toward one-party dominance:
“A vibrant democracy requires robust alternatives. When opposition voices diminish not through electoral verdicts but through orchestrated absorptions, the entire system suffers. The PDP’s role in providing this balance remains crucial, regardless of transient alignments.”
Political Earthquake: The Defections So Far
The past month has seen unprecedented opposition erosion:
- April 22: Delta Governor Oborevwori defects with entire cabinet
- April 18: Three PDP senators cross to APC
- April 15: Prominent PDP financier Tony Elumelu declares APC support
- Pending: At least two more PDP governors reportedly in defection talks
Why Atiku’s Response Matters
🔹 Strategic Restraint – Avoids alienating potential returnees ahead of 2027
🔹 Institutional Focus – Shifts discourse from personalities to democratic safeguards
🔹 Subtle Warning – Hints at concerns over APC’s “absorption strategy”
Expert Reactions
“This is classic Atiku – measured when others panic, but with layered messaging. The emphasis on democratic institutions is actually a critique of the APC’s expansion methods.”
- Dr. Kabiru Sufi, Political Science Professor, ABU
“The PDP now faces existential questions. Can it survive as Nigeria’s main opposition when its stars keep jumping ship?”
Aisha Yusuf, Editor-in-Chief, Politics Digest
