PDP’s Incurable Virus is Why It’s Not Being Considered for Coalition, Declares Babachir 

•Says alliance soon to announce new platform to assuage the anxiety of Nigerians

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Emma Okonji and Agnes Ekebuike in Lagos

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has revealed that the politicians pushing for a strong opposition coalition had considered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a no-go area because of her internal challenges which he considered incurable virus.

Babachir, who spoke when he appeared on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’, disclosed that part of the consideration of the coalition’s technical committee was examining whether the alliance should register a new party or adopt and upgrade an existing one.

The former SGF also confirmed that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, was a committed and active member of the group championing the coalition campaign to wrest power from President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

According to him, the coalition was mostly driven by politicians, who agreed to form an alliance against the ruling party.

Asked why the meetings and conversations about the coalition spearheaded by Atiku had not featured the PDP, Babachir stated that the PDP has an incurable virus.

“In all the meetings I’ve attended so far, nobody has ever bothered about adopting the PDP as the platform. We all agree that PDP has an incurable virus.

“No anti-biotics can cure what is ailing the PDP and we don’t want to go into a house that we cannot modify; that is not willing to change,” he said.

Babachir also disclosed that the politicians behind the coalition opposition would soon announce their new platform to assuage the anxiety of Nigerians, who are worried about the coalition’s political party.

With the PDP considered as a no-go area, Babachir’s revelation implied that Atiku might dump the party anytime soon.

The PDP has been hit with a seemingly intractable leadership crisis since it lost the 2023 presidential election.

Lawal, has dismissed the wave of political defections to the ruling APC, saying most defectors were motivated by hunger and self-preservation, not ideology or principle.

He also said some governors could not afford to lose their polling units, let alone their wards during elections in 2027

He said, “It’s not every Nigerian that can withstand hunger and not every Nigerian can survive a poverty condition. So most of these politicians that are defecting to APC are probably driven by the desire to safeguard their stomachs and to safeguard their luxurious lifestyles that they have acquired while in government, using the people’s money. So, to them, it’s okay, they can go that way. That’s what they choose to do.”

Lawal insisted that the defections were more about survival than loyalty, describing the trend as a reflection of character.

“Defection is just a function of the character of the person. It’s a function of the character. Somebody without character will easily abandon you when his interest is threatened, rather than when the interests of the masses are threatened,” he said.

He also questioned the actual political influence of governors and high-ranking party officials, citing studies and election results where even serving governors and vice-presidential candidates failed to deliver their home states.

Using Delta and Borno States as examples, Lawal pointed out that despite their incumbency advantage, key political figures could not sway voters, evidence that true electoral power lies with the people.

Looking ahead to 2027, Lawal appeared unfazed, saying, “We are not bothered about defections. It will continue to happen. But I mean, 2027, we’ll go to the ballot boxes and we’ll see the results. We are confident that it’s immaterial.”

He contended that Nigeria’s political players were broadly divided into two camps: “those who go into politics to take from it, and those who go into politics to give.”

Reiterating his opposition to the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the APC in 2023, he insisted it violated the principle of religious equity.

“I will never support a Christian-Christian ticket either. My opposition was always about fairness and national unity,” saying being called a “religious bigot” was a badge of honour, if it meant defending his faith and values.

He also took a swipe at those celebrating President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the Vatican, claiming it was orchestrated through lobbying rather than genuine diplomatic achievement.

Commenting on the state of the economy and security, Lawal dismissed claims of progress under the Tinubu administration.

“Insecurity has spread to areas previously unaffected, and poverty has multiplied exponentially,” he said, criticizing also  endorsements from regional political leaders, and labeling them as out-of-touch and self-serving.

But in spite of the political chaos and growing disenchantment, Lawal remained optimistic that Nigerians would speak decisively through the ballot in 2027.