By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) has explained its decision to join the G-100 opposition coalition, saying the move was driven by the need to rescue Nigeria from worsening poverty, insecurity and repression.
The faction formally endorsed the G-100, a group of 100 opposition political figures seeking to build a broad coalition capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
However, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is yet to identify with the G-100 and was conspicuously absent from its meeting in Abuja on Monday.
In a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led faction said its participation was informed by what it described as the “wailings of Nigerians groaning” under the Bola Tinubu-led APC administration.
It said the decision was also consistent with its earlier position to work with “like-minded political parties and organisations desirous of salvaging the country” from its current challenges.
The faction said it was prepared to collaborate with other credible opposition parties and organisations to build a united platform capable of defeating the APC and providing an alternative government in 2027.
Its National Chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, however, said the faction’s participation would be conditional on the coalition process being transparent, inclusive and based on objective criteria.
“Our participation is anchored on the promise that the process will be hinged on the philosophical underpinnings of transparency, equality, data-driven decisions and egalitarianism,” Turaki said.
He argued that a candidate produced through such a process would have greater credibility and the capacity to tackle the country’s challenges.
“Any result birthed by a process midwifed by these virtues will certainly offer Nigerians a credible leadership capable of alleviating the skyrocketing poverty and rising insecurity in the country,” he added.
The faction said its participation in the inaugural G-100 meeting on August 31 demonstrated its readiness to contribute to the formation of a broad opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
It described the coalition as an opportunity for opposition forces to overcome individual party interests and pursue a common political objective.
According to the faction, its ultimate goal is to produce an alternative political platform capable of defeating the APC and rebuilding the country for the benefit of Nigerians.
It stressed that the initiative should not be viewed merely as an electoral arrangement, but as part of a broader response to concerns over economic hardship, insecurity and other challenges confronting Nigerians.
The faction also urged opposition stakeholders in the G-100 initiative to uphold transparency, equality and data-driven decision-making in determining the coalition’s political direction and choice of candidates.
It expressed optimism that cooperation among opposition parties could produce a formidable political force capable of challenging the APC in the 2027 presidential election.
The PDP faction said its participation would be guided by the national interest and the desire to provide Nigerians with credible leadership.
It described its presence at the August 31 meeting as “a further indication of our preparedness to contribute our quota in the quest for an all-opposition platform” ahead of the 2027 elections.
The faction said its objective was to work with other opposition forces to “take power from the incumbent and rebuild Nigeria for the good of all Nigerians.”
