No Alliance with Political Viruses – Babachir Lawal Drops Bombshell on PDP Govs

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has dismissed claims that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors were ever part of the ongoing political coalition efforts.

Lawal, a prominent player in a rising alliance that includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, made the remarks while addressing reports that PDP governors had opted out of the coalition.

During a recent meeting in Ibadan, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, the PDP governors firmly rejected the idea of merging with or joining any coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. Governor Mohammed emphasized that while the PDP remains open to welcoming individuals or groups into its fold, it has no intention of dissolving into another political bloc.

Reacting to the development, Lawal told Punch that the PDP had never been a consideration in coalition talks, describing the party as “an incurable virus” with no attraction for those leading the alliance.

“Whenever we engage with other groups involved in the coalition, PDP is never on the table,” he said. “Everyone we speak to refers to it as an incurable virus. I’ve never attended a meeting where PDP was even remotely considered for a merger. Perhaps Atiku has separate intentions, but our discussions have focused on two paths: forming a completely new party or aligning with an existing one — and PDP has never been one of those options.”

Lawal also took aim at suggestions that the PDP could be reformed, calling such hopes unrealistic.

“Many people, both within and outside the PDP, have approached us with the idea that the party can be fixed. But each time, things only seem to get worse. Frankly, I don’t think the people in PDP are serious,” he added.