A fresh crisis seems to be brewing within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a disagreement between the party’s leadership and its presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku, a former vice president, believes that for the PDP to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it has to form a merger with other political parties in the country.

The Adamawa politician also believes that any PDP politician that is opposed to the idea of a coalition is working for the APC to entrench a one-party state in the country.

But the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, after its 587th meeting, said the party is not engaged in any merger, fusion, or amalgamation talks with any other political party or interest.

Spokesperson of the party, Debo Ologunagba, told journalists that the party can win elections without forming a coalition.

“Disregard any report suggesting any form of merger between the PDP and any other political party as such is not in the contemplation of our great party,” Ologunagba said.

However, speaking with the National Coalition for PDP Support Group, which paid him a solidarity visit in Abuja on Tuesday, Atiku said, “Anyone in the PDP who opposes the merger with other political groups is a fifth columnist working for the APC to turn the country into a one-party state.”

Recently, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi met with Atiku, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, all of the PDP, which fuelled speculations that the proposed coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 elections