Opposition Coalition Hits Back as Presidency Mocks Atiku Over PDP Defections
The growing political tension in Nigeria took a fiery turn on Thursday as the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai responded sharply to jabs from the Presidency over recent high-profile defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting to statements made by presidential aides Bayo Onanuga and Tunde Rahman, who had taunted Atiku following the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other PDP heavyweights, the opposition coalition declared that the exits were anticipated and would not derail their mission to reclaim democratic integrity in Nigeria.
A prominent voice within the coalition and former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the APC, Mallam Salihu Lukman, issued a detailed response in a statement made available to The PUNCH in Abuja, accusing the Presidency of political desperation and arrogance.
“Defections Were Expected, Not Surprising” – Lukman
Lukman noted that the recent defections of Oborevwori and Okowa were neither shocking nor demoralizing. Instead, he described them as a consequence of a compromised political structure that rewards opportunism over ideology.
“Let no one be deceived – these defections are not a blow to the opposition but a validation of the kind of politics the ruling party thrives on: coercion, fear, and federal intimidation,” Lukman said. “We anticipated some would jump ship when personal ambitions collided with federal pressure.”
Presidency’s Mockery: “A Sign of Insecurity”
Earlier this week, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, posted a biting commentary mocking Atiku’s coalition. Onanuga declared that the opposition alliance, which includes notable figures such as El-Rufai, Babachir Lawal, and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, had “disintegrated” and called Atiku a “loser again.”
“Potential allies, including his former running mate Ifeanyi Okowa and defunct CPC members, are avoiding his leprous group. Atiku’s political future looks bleak,” Onanuga said in a widely circulated post on X (formerly Twitter).
Tunde Rahman, another presidential aide, echoed similar sentiments, labeling the wave of PDP defections as “the biggest shocker ever” and claiming the opposition coalition was “dead on arrival.”
Coalition Unfazed, Vows to Press On
Contrary to the Presidency’s assertions, Lukman insisted the opposition coalition remains united and focused on its broader objective: building a credible alternative platform to challenge what they describe as the Tinubu administration’s “autocratic” grip on power.
“Our coalition is not about personalities; it is about restoring the sanctity of elections, strengthening democratic institutions, and challenging the culture of patronage that has crippled governance,” Lukman added.
He accused the Tinubu administration of weaponizing state resources to coerce opposition leaders and suppress dissent, describing the current wave of defections as “engineered political theater.”
Atiku’s Silence, El-Rufai’s Calculations
While Atiku Abubakar has yet to issue a direct response, sources close to the former vice president suggest he is unbothered by the recent developments and views them as “temporary setbacks” in a much larger political chess game.
El-Rufai, who has been relatively silent in recent weeks, is reportedly deep in consultations with other opposition leaders and is expected to make a public appearance in the coming days to reaffirm the coalition’s direction and resolve.
What This Means for 2027
With the 2027 elections looming on the horizon, the battle lines are clearly being drawn. The APC, riding on recent gains and a series of strategic defections, is positioning itself as an unstoppable political force. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition is presenting itself as a resilient alternative, unshaken by defections and emboldened by the belief that Nigerians will demand real change.
Political analysts say that while the ruling party may have the momentum now, underestimating the opposition’s grassroots appeal could prove premature. “In Nigerian politics, loyalty is fluid, but public sentiment is powerful,” one analyst noted.
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