As the 2027 presidential election approaches, the battle for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket is intensifying, with insiders revealing a strategic arrangement aimed at sidelining former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the main opposition party. In an exclusive report by OBSERVERSTIMES, it has come to light that the current Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, is positioning himself to be the running mate of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, an alliance that reportedly has the backing of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
Sources close to the political developments suggest that this alliance is not merely a partnership but a calculated move to effectively retire Atiku from the presidential race. The implications of this arrangement appear to be deeply rooted in a desire to provoke and humiliate the former Vice President, who has yet to officially declare his intentions for the 2027 election. Nevertheless, Atiku’s body language indicates he remains focused on the presidency, despite growing concerns within the party that his persistent candidacy may stifle the ambitions of emerging leaders.
Fintiri’s move comes at a time when the PDP is facing growing internal divisions and power struggles, with various factions jockeying for position and influence within the party. By aligning himself with Makinde, who is seen as a rising star within the PDP and a formidable force in the South-West region, Fintiri hopes to bolster his own political fortunes and secure a stronger position within the party.
Critics within the PDP have voiced their frustrations, claiming that Atiku’s approach is self-serving. They argue that he has been using the party as a vehicle for his personal presidential ambitions without genuinely contributing to its leadership or growth. “After the election, he will abandon the party, leaving others to finance its operations while he uses his resources to buy delegates and secure the primary,” one source lamented to OBSERVERSTIMES.
However, the proposed Fintiri-Makinde alliance is not without its detractors. Some political analysts view this arrangement as part of a broader strategy orchestrated by President Bola Tinubu to weaken any significant opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. Notably, Makinde’s affiliation with the G-5 governors—who previously aligned with Tinubu—raises questions about his loyalty to the PDP. Odedeyi Oluwabunmi, a political commentator, remarked, “It’s evident that Seyi Makinde is more loyal to Tinubu than to the PDP. This arrangement seems designed to control the opposition and ensure Tinubu’s continued dominance.”
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the dynamics within the PDP are becoming increasingly complex. The implications of the Fintiri-Makinde partnership could have far-reaching consequences not just for Atiku but for the party’s overall unity and effectiveness as a challenger in the upcoming elections. With the stakes higher than ever, the question remains: will the PDP find a way to rally its members and present a united front, or will internal divisions spell disaster for its presidential ambitions in 2027?
