The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed willingness to lead a coalition of opposition parties to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) come 2027.
He said this in a congratulatory message to governors of the PDP whose elections were upheld by the Supreme Court on Friday.
In a statement signed by his media office in Abuja, he described the decision of the court as good news for the people of Bauchi, Plateau, Cross River, and Zamfara states and, indeed, a win for constitutional democracy.
The PDP presidential candidate also congratulated the Governor of Kano State, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf, of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), reaffirming his position that only a united opposition force can strengthen democracy in Nigeria.
Atiku was quoted as saying, “I am as prepared as ever to lead the charge, alongside all our leaders and governors, for the good of our country.”
According to him, “Where justice is seen to have been substantially rendered, we, as patriots and citizens, will always applaud.”
Atiku equally said that, by the verdict of the apex court, “there is a guaranteed continuation of the standards of good governance that the PDP has brought to the respective states.”
He urged the respective PDP governors, namely Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Barr. Caleb Muftwang of Plateau, and Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, see their wins at the Supreme Court as an opportunity to consolidate and expand the scope of the good governance they have already established.
Atiku noted that with the electioneering phase now concluded, he is certain that the PDP will now be able to focus on its role as the major opposition party in the country, with the party’s able governors at the helm along with his humble self.