Ten years ago, in 2013, senior members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a walkout from the party’s Special National Convention due to disqualifications of some aspirants. This event led to the formation of the new PDP (nPDP), which later merged with other opposition parties to create the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.
Initially, many underestimated the impact of these leaders on the PDP’s electoral fortunes. However, the 2015 elections proved otherwise, as the PDP suffered a significant defeat, leading to efforts to bring back these leaders to the party.
In subsequent years, key figures like Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, and others returned to the PDP. Atiku emerged as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2019, and although he didn’t win, the party made significant gains in some states.
Between 2019 and the first half of 2022, the PDP appeared to be a strong opposition to the ruling APC. However, internal conflicts and defections began to weaken the party. Rabiu Kwankwaso left over a disagreement about party positions, and Peter Obi resigned, citing “internal developments” in the party. Several governors also withdrew their support for Atiku Abubakar due to a dispute over the national chairman’s position.
In the 2023 presidential election, the PDP fielded multiple candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi (LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP), while the APC had Bola Tinubu as its candidate. The PDP’s internal divisions and support lost in some states contributed to its electoral defeat.
To make a comeback in 2027, the PDP must learn from past mistakes and maintain its unity, as well as adopt a strategy of reuniting various interests within the party, regardless of their roles in the 2023 elections.