Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have described the wave of endorsements for President Bola Tinubu by All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and stakeholders as “empty gestures born out of panic,” dismissing them as misaligned with the real sentiments of Nigerians.
In separate remarks, Atiku and top PDP officials argued that the endorsements are political distractions intended to mask deep dissatisfaction with the current administration’s performance, especially in economic and security sectors.
Atiku’s spokesperson, Mazi Paul Ibe, said the opposition coalition remains confident and prepared to challenge the APC in the 2027 general elections, warning that no amount of endorsements can override the verdict of the Nigerian people.
“When you’ve prepared diligently for an exam, you can sleep soundly the night before,” Ibe stated.
“That’s the confidence level of our coalition. Nigerians are watching, and they will judge not by political endorsements but by the realities of their daily lives.”
He noted rising insecurity, particularly the resurgence of insurgents in parts of Borno State, as well as worsening economic conditions, including soaring living costs and difficulty accessing basic services like healthcare and education.
Ibe further accused the Tinubu-led administration of weaponizing anti-corruption agencies to coerce opposition politicians into defecting to the APC, labeling it “a political hostage-taking strategy.”
“These defections are not genuine; they are forced by threats and blackmail, often tied to corruption allegations,” he said, referencing recent political movements in Delta and other states.
Echoing Atiku’s concerns, PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Umar Bature, insisted that political endorsements have little bearing on electoral outcomes.
He cited the 2015 presidential election, where former President Goodluck Jonathan, despite being endorsed by 21 governors, was defeated at the polls.
“Tinubu may have 22 endorsements today, but history has shown us that endorsements are no guarantee of electoral success,” Bature remarked. “What matters is delivering on promises and improving lives, not playing to the gallery.”
He concluded by reiterating that internal dissent or defections would not derail the PDP’s focus or readiness for 2027, adding that “time will tell” the true outcome of current political manoeuvres.