Atiku isn’t leaving PDP—but is the party still his best shot at the presidency in 2027?

Though Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has yet to officially declare his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, his every move suggests that his ambition remains intact. In fact, political watchers say it’s no longer a matter of “if” but “how” the perennial presidential hopeful will try again.

On Monday, May 7, Atiku finally cleared the air: he’s staying in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), putting an end to speculation that he might once again jump ship in search of a better path to Aso Rock.

This statement came after weeks of political signaling—meetings with opposition leaders, calls for a “mega coalition,” and rumors of a possible alliance with Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. But those plans quickly lost steam, as key figures in his own party distanced themselves and other opposition camps struggled with their own internal turmoil.

Atiku’s loyalty to the PDP—or necessity?

While Atiku publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, insiders believe his coalition outreach was less about unity and more of a strategic test run. He had hoped to rally opposition forces into a formidable alliance against President Bola Tinubu’s APC, much like the Buhari-Tinubu merger of 2013. But with each opposition leader guarding their own ambitions and turf, that vision never got off the ground.

Still, despite its internal rifts and leadership battles, the PDP remains the most established opposition party, with a nationwide structure and name recognition. And no one understands the PDP’s machinery—or has benefited from it—more than Atiku.

He’s been a PDP presidential candidate twice, and even when he temporarily left the party (as he did in 2014 to join the APC), he always found his way back. For a man chasing the presidency for the seventh time, sticking with the PDP may not be loyalty—it may be pragmatism.

A party in crisis, a candidate on repeat

But there’s no hiding the fact that the PDP is fractured. The G5 rebellion, unresolved zoning disputes, and generational frustration within the party have weakened its unity. Atiku, while still influential, is now seen by many younger members as the symbol of an old guard unwilling to make way for fresh leadership.

“Will Atiku’s unrelenting ambition choke any real chance at renewal?”

That’s the question haunting a growing number of PDP loyalists who believe the party needs reinvention, not repetition.

Yet, Atiku remains the most visible, best-financed, and most networked PDP figure. His nationwide contacts, funding capacity, and party loyalty (post-2023) still command respect. Even critics admit: if not Atiku, then who?

Can the PDP still take him to Aso Rock?

Atiku’s challenge isn’t just about winning the PDP ticket—it’s about proving that he can still energize voters in a Nigeria that looks very different from when he first ran for president. Many of his younger supporters weren’t old enough to vote during his early campaigns. And the 2023 election showed that Nigerians—especially young ones—are hungry for something different.

Still, as opposition coalition talks collapse and other parties wrestle with their own dysfunction, the crisis-weary PDP may still be Atiku’s best bet.

The road to 2027 is long, but one thing is clear: Atiku’s political engine is still running, even if the vehicle needs repairs.