Samuel Omang
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and other top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have begun a crucial closed-door meeting in Abuja as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The high-level consultation, taking place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, is aimed at finalising decisions around the formation of a broad-based coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. This comes amid mounting political recalibrations ahead of the next election cycle.
In attendance are key PDP figures including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, and former Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).
Sources at the venue revealed that the meeting, chaired by David Mark, is deliberating whether PDP leaders will fully merge into the emerging coalition platform or retain their positions within the PDP while entering into an electoral alliance.
Earlier reports indicated that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been selected as the vehicle for the coalition, with David Mark expected to serve as interim chairman. The coalition’s formal unveiling is scheduled for Wednesday.
Other prominent PDP stakeholders at the meeting include Senator Ben Obi, former National Women Leader Josephine Anenih, former National Organising Secretary Senator Austin Akobundu, former National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan, and former National Youth Leader Abdullahi Maibasira.