5 PDP Governors With APC, 7 Unlikely to Fund New Coalition, Says Saraki

By Emmanuel Kwada

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has cast doubt on the feasibility of forming a new political coalition, citing reluctance among governors from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to finance such a venture.

In a candid statement, Saraki revealed that many governors, driven by loyalty to President Bola Tinubu in hopes of securing their political futures, are unlikely to back an opposition movement.

Saraki, a prominent PDP figure, also dismissed speculations about his potential defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“With what is on the ground, the possibility of me joining the SDP is nil,” he stated, emphasizing the lack of support from current APC governors for either PDP or SDP.

With what is on the ground, the possibility of me joining the SDP is nil

According to Saraki, approximately five PDP governors are closely aligned with the APC, while the remaining seven are unwilling to fund the PDP’s efforts to regroup and challenge the ruling party.

The statement comes amid growing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape, as opposition parties struggle to consolidate power ahead of future elections. Saraki’s remarks highlight the financial and strategic hurdles facing the PDP, which has been grappling with internal divisions and defections since its loss in the 2023 presidential election.

The governors hold the purse strings, and without their support, any attempt to form a viable alternative to the APC is dead on arrival

Political analysts suggest that Saraki’s reluctance to align with a new coalition or defect to the SDP signals a broader crisis within the opposition.

“The governors hold the purse strings, and without their support, any attempt to form a viable alternative to the APC is dead on arrival,” said a political commentator based in Abuja.

As the 2027 elections loom, Saraki’s comments underscore the challenges of opposition politics in Nigeria, where financial backing and regional alliances remain critical to success. For now, the former Senate President appears focused on navigating the PDP’s internal dynamics while keeping his options open in an increasingly polarized political arena.