Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has declared the political ambitions of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as doomed, following the rapid disintegration of his proposed coalition. This coalition included prominent figures such as former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-SGF Babachir Lawal, and Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate Yusuf Baba-Ahmed. Onanuga expressed his criticism in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Atiku’s political future looks bleak. The coalition that he, El-Rufai, Babachir, and new member Baba-Ahmed are cobbling together has disintegrated.”
The situation has worsened with the defection of key allies, notably former running mate Ifeanyi Okowa and incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Onanuga remarked that potential allies are steering clear of Atiku’s coalition, describing it as a “leprous group” that has lost credibility. He emphasized that the ongoing defections have highlighted the internal crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This sentiment was echoed by fellow aide Tunde Rahman, who labeled the recent developments as “the biggest shocker ever” for Atiku, especially after his unsuccessful presidential bid in 2023. Rahman noted that with PDP governors now aligning with President Bola Tinubu, Atiku’s coalition is effectively “dead on arrival.”
The political landscape is shifting rapidly, and analysts are closely monitoring the implications of these defections for both Atiku’s future and the overall stability of the PDP. The ongoing turmoil raises questions about the party’s ability to regroup and present a united front in upcoming elections.
