Atiku’s ADC Victory Inevitable, But He Won’t Be President – Party Stalwart Says

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is expected to be the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) presidential candidate in 2027, according to Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State.
Speaking to reporters regarding the recent wave of PDP defections, which included Atiku, Pearse stated that the action poses no threat to the PDP.
He claimed that the former PDP presidential candidate had harmed his own reputation.

“Atiku will definitely win the ADC primary and secure the presidential ticket, but he cannot win the presidential election on that platform,” Pearse conceded.

“The former vice president consistently makes poor decisions. In a recent interview with reporters in Lagos, the PDP leader said, “What he is doing now is messing up his political credentials.”

He predicted that many ADC defectors would quickly realize their error and rejoin the PDP.

Meeting of the NEC
Speaking further about the PDP’s internal developments, Pearse said that all questions regarding the party’s unity and strength had been answered by the recently concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

The successful NEC meeting, according to Pearse, a former member of the Atiku Abubakar 2023 Presidential Campaign Committee and the organizer of the Reset Lagos PDP group, marks a significant turning point for the PDP.

“There is nothing wrong with PDP. The issues that many other political parties face are not present in the PDP. “The PDP has a very solid foundation,” he said.

“Just like in a marriage, there can be some issues that must be resolved,” Pearse said, comparing the party’s internal conflicts to marital misunderstandings. Do you know what you would face in the other marriage you choose to enter if you leave this one abruptly? It could get much worse, possibly disastrous.

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“Our NEC meeting has taken place, and all indications suggest that PDP is doing well. As Democrats, we elect our leaders rather than appointing them like the other party does. Everything is in order, and PDP is progressing. We look good. PDP has already returned. Those quitting the PDP are perplexed because they just made a mistake.

A Masterstroke: Zoning the Presidency to the South
Pearse called the party’s decision to zon its 2027 presidential ticket to the South “a game changer.”

“This is the only way to defeat incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) President Bola Tinubu,” Pearse said.

According to reports, the PDP had its 101st NEC meeting in Abuja on Thursday and decided to host its national electoral convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.

Party stakeholders reportedly attended the meeting, which covered important internal reforms and established a strategic framework for the general elections in 2027.

Pearse’s remarks coincide with the PDP’s efforts to reestablish itself as a viable rival to the ruling APC in the face of internal power struggles, defections, and the pursuit of a victorious alliance in the upcoming election cycle.