••Everybody we talk to about PDP says it is an incurable virus,”
By Suleiman Ibrahim
ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has launched a scathing attack on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), branding it an “incurable virus” and dismissing its relevance in ongoing coalition talks for the 2027 elections.
Lawal, a key figure in the burgeoning alliance involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, following a PDP Governors’ Forum communiqué rejecting any merger plans.
“Every time we had discussions with members of the other groups working on the coalition, the name PDP never comes up.
Everybody we talk to about PDP says it is an incurable virus,” Lawal stated, contradicting the PDP’s claim of being a potential player in the 2027 political landscape.
The PDP governors, led by Bauchi’s Bala Mohammed, had declared their party’s intent to remain independent, welcoming individuals but refusing to dissolve into any emerging coalition. Lawal, however, countered that the PDP had never been a serious consideration in their merger discussions.
“I have never attended a meeting where the PDP was under consideration for the merger. Maybe Atiku planned to bring them in, but our discussion has mostly revolved around two options: forming a brand-new political party or joining an existing one. The PDP has never been one of those options,” he asserted.
Lawal further dismissed any notion of “repairing” the PDP, stating, “Quite a lot of people inside and outside the PDP have approached us, saying the party can be repaired. But each time, the situation seems to deteriorate further. I don’t think those in the PDP are serious people.”
His comments echo recent sentiments from former APC National Vice Chairman, Salihu Lukman, who also ridiculed the PDP’s stance, seeing it as an admission of the party’s irredeemable state. Lukman accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of sabotaging the PDP to prevent a strong challenge to President Tinubu.
However, former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, defended the governors’ position, arguing that the PDP should not chase alliances with smaller parties. Lawal responded by urging George to retire from politics, stating, “Oga George has never delivered substantial votes for the PDP in Lagos. His past roles give him some credibility, but I don’t think he speaks for the party now. The PDP will sort itself out.”
The clash of words underscores the growing tension as political alignments shift ahead of the crucial 2027 elections, with the PDP’s future and relevance increasingly questioned.
