At 8:17 p.m. local time in Abuja on March 25, 2026, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was last seen leaving a closed‑door meeting with party elders, moments before fresh divisions erupted inside Nigeria’s opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP over growing support for President Bola Tinubu’s re‑election bid in 2027.
The meeting, which had been billed as a reconciliation effort, instead exposed deep fractures. Several PDP governors and lawmakers have quietly signaled willingness to back Tinubu, citing political survival and regional interests. Their stance has unsettled party loyalists who insist the PDP must present a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Atiku’s appearance at 8:17 p.m. was symbolic, as he has long been seen as the face of PDP’s presidential ambitions. Witnesses said he left the venue visibly frustrated, underscoring the tension between party veterans who want to challenge Tinubu and younger politicians who argue that aligning with the incumbent could secure influence and resources.
The rumbles have already spilled into public view. PDP spokespersons have dismissed reports of defections as exaggerated, but insiders admit that negotiations are ongoing in several states. Analysts say the party risks losing credibility if it cannot resolve internal disputes before its convention later this year.
Support for Tinubu within PDP reflects a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where alliances often shift ahead of elections. Some members argue that backing the president could guarantee regional projects and federal appointments, while critics warn that such moves betray the party’s identity and weaken democracy.
For international observers, the sight of Atiku at 8:17 p.m. in Abuja, leaving a meeting that ended in discord, captures the uncertainty surrounding Nigeria’s 2027 race. The PDP’s struggle to contain internal dissent highlights the fluid nature of political loyalty in Africa’s largest democracy, where the balance of power can change overnight.
