The Democratic Front (TDF) has described ongoing efforts by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to raise a coalition aimed at returning the Presidency to the North in 2027 as a threat to national cohesion.
It also hailed governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP as patriots for refusing to back the coalition.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF noted that it was good that many political stakeholders have seen that the fledgling coalition is inimical to the overall national interest.
“It is important to reiterate that The Democratic Front recognizes the right of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to pursue his political ambition within the ambit of the constitution. But we also believe that personal ambition must not be advanced at the expense of national stability.
“The former Vice President should be guided to know that, as a northerner, his ambition for the presidency in 2027, constitutes an affront to the existing understanding for rotational presidency, which, for us, symbolises a major catalyst for unity and national stability of Nigeria.
“It is on this basis that we consider his decision to form a coalition aimed at actualizing his presidential ambition, deliberate political mischief to fuel discontent and foster disaffection among Nigerians as we inch towards the 2027 general elections.
“More worrisome is the fact that Atiku’s coalition does not seek to address any of the economic, social, and security challenges that currently confront Northern Nigeria nation but is strictly aimed at seeking power for self-actualisation. This is, indeed, a clear case of placing personal interest above national interest.
“We therefore thank leading members of the PDP, including governors elected on the party’s platform, for refusing to join his quest. Our commendation is motivated by their resolve to resist any sinister ploy by the former Vice President to provoke trouble in the land and sow the seeds for political discord among Nigerians,” it added
TDF urged them to remain resolute in resisting any coalition that seeks to disrupt the existing principle of rotation of the presidency between the North and the South.
