Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar insists a coalition is essential to defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, clashing with 11 PDP governors who, after meeting in Ibadan, rejected joining any coalition or merger. Led by Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed, the governors stated the PDP would instead welcome individuals or groups to join the party to reclaim power. Atiku, alongside Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai, announced the coalition on March 20 to challenge Tinubu. Responding to the governors, Atiku called them key stakeholders but emphasized the coalition as a pan-Nigerian movement with public support, urging dialogue but denying any setback. He cited internal polling supporting the coalition’s path to “redeem Nigeria.”

The governors also addressed the PDP’s national secretary dispute, recognizing Sunday Ude-Okoye per a prior decision but, following a March 21 Supreme Court ruling, named Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo as acting secretary until the South-East nominates a replacement for NEC ratification. The court had overturned Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s removal, deeming internal disputes non-justiciable. The governors called for a South-East nominee.

They condemned worsening insecurity in states like Borno and Plateau, sympathized with Plateau’s victims, and proposed a bottom-up security strategy. They also expressed solidarity with Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid a state of emergency declaration, vowing to challenge such moves legally. The governors proposed a May 27 NEC meeting, a zoning committee, and an August 2025 national convention in Kano, with committees led by Governors Douye Diri (zoning) and Ahmadu Fintiri (convention).