Why PDP Not Suitable As Platform For Opposition Coalition – Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, has revealed that all leading opposition figures and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) involved in the formation of a formidable Coalition against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government have resolved on the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cannot be adopted as a platform for the 2027 project.

Lawal pointedly said that so far, nobody has said anything about adopting the PDP as the platform, saying that instead, they have all agreed that the PDP has an incurable virus in which no antibiotics can cure what is ailing it.

In the words of Lawal; “We don’t want to go into a house that cannot be modified. So, the PDP is not in that list”.

The former SGF who stated these when he featured on Arise Television programme ‘Morning Show’ on Wednesday, sid members of the Coalition are getting to the end of the process and would soon announce the party that will lead, or possibly register a new political party.

In the words of Lawal; “Nigerians are anxious, and since we are here to serve the people, we are speeding up the process to reduce the tension among ourselves”.

Lawal said there have been series of high-profile meetings among political stakeholders aiming to create a credible alternative to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While acknowledging the involvement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the coalition talks, Lawal said that the Waziri Adamawa is an elder statesman and an eminent politician who is highly respected by him.

Lawal further said; “Regarding Atiku’s ambition, he is entitled to it, just as every Nigerian is entitled to it. It is not for me to decide which platform Atiku will contest or if he will contest at all, that is left for him and his inner circle.

“For now, I can confirm that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s active participation in the coalition-building efforts. I can confirm that I have run into him at most of the political meetings we have had in respect to the merger or new political platform. So, he is an active participant in the need for opposition parties to form one strong opposition party.

“Whether he will contest on that platform or not is not the issue. We have a team that will analyse all the political parties we could adapt and make it suitable for competitiveness. Atiku has presented himself at every of such meeting, and what I can say is that he is committed to the cause,” Lawal said.