Atiku Reacts to Defection Rumours, Insists on Opposition Coalition to Kick Out APC

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting he is planning to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), calling such claims unfounded and misleading. In a statement released on Saturday by his media office, Atiku reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, describing the defection rumours as a “total fallacy” lacking any logical basis.

The statement urged Nigerians to disregard the reports, clarifying that Atiku remains a “principal bonafide member” of the PDP and continues to play a key role in efforts to unite opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the media office, the former vice president is actively championing the formation of a broad-based coalition to challenge and unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Emphasising that such a coalition includes and prioritises the PDP, the statement said claims of Atiku abandoning the party are contradictory to his ongoing efforts. It described the defection rumours as part of a calculated attempt to undermine and confuse the public about the scale and seriousness of the coalition movement being built to, in their words, “rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”