Atiku Abubakar Planning Exit from PDP Ahead of 2027 Elections – Okowa
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has revealed that former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is preparing to exit the party in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.
Okowa made the statement during a Tuesday interview on Arise News, shortly after his official defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday.
Recall that Atiku, who ran for president under the PDP in 2023 with Okowa as his running mate, recently joined forces with other political heavyweights including Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai to form a coalition against President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027—a move that has stirred intense political debate.
Reflecting on his past political decisions, Okowa expressed regret for not aligning with the southern sentiment during the 2023 elections. “Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power,” he said.
He acknowledged that while the PDP’s decision at the federal level left him with little choice, he now believes he should have followed the wishes of his people. “In retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people,” Okowa admitted.
Highlighting the continued trust of Delta citizens, he pointed to the victory of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as evidence of public confidence in their political leadership.
Addressing his relationship with Atiku, Okowa disclosed that he had informed the former Vice President about his party exit plans, and revealed Atiku’s intentions as well. “I know that he is already heading out of the PDP from the communications he has passed on to me,” he said, emphasizing growing discomfort within the PDP.
The revelations mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape as parties and power blocs begin to reconfigure ahead of the 2027 elections.
