Ose Anenih, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed his concerns regarding the party’s governors, stating that they lack the resolve to confront President Bola Tinubu in the lead-up to the 2027 general election.
Gatekeepers News reports that the PDP governors made a clear announcement on Monday, ruling out any potential merger or coalition ahead of the upcoming polls.
In a post on social media platform X, Anenih criticised this decision, labeling it as “hubristic” and disconnected from the current political landscape. He also addressed comments made by Bode George, a member of the party’s board of trustees, who referred to the PDP as an iroko tree too large to consider merging with other parties.
“Sadly, her caretakers have become her undertakers,” Anenih, who served as the director of strategy, Asue Ighodalo campaign organisation in Edo state, wrote.
Anenih argued that, in its present condition, the PDP would struggle to secure a presidential victory against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) without forming strategic alliances.
“Numbers don’t lie. The PDP cannot win a presidential election against the APC by themselves. The path no longer exists. Tinubu to the West, Obi to the East and Atiku/El-Rufai/Obi to the North have boxed the party in,” he said.
He drew a comparison to the 2013 merger of opposition parties that led to the establishment of the APC, which was supported by 10 governors at that time, whereas the PDP currently has 12 governors.
He suggested that the hesitation among PDP governors to explore coalition opportunities is likely rooted in “pragmatic fear and self-interest.”
“Tinubu is not GEJ. The governors are well aware of this. As Gov Wike would say, ‘they don’t have the balls’,” he said.
He also alleged that at least two PDP governors are nursing presidential ambitions that conflict with the idea of a coalition.
“A coalition sends them to the back of the line. It might profit Nigeria but it will not profit them,” he added.
Anenih noted that there is still an opportunity for the PDP to alter its course.
He called on key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, to actively engage with political groups outside the APC framework.
Anenih concluded that a coalition might be achievable even without the involvement of the PDP.
“Victory can still be snatched from the jaws of defeat even if the PDP presents a presidential candidate not aligned with the coalition’s,” he said.
