Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday dismissed recent endorsements of President Bola Tinubu by All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and stakeholders, describing them as signs of panic and desperation. Atiku expressed confidence in the opposition coalition’s ability to unseat the APC in the 2027 elections, while the PDP cited growing public discontent over Tinubu’s leadership and economic policies. Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, said the coalition remains unshaken by the endorsements, comparing their preparedness to that of a well-prepared student heading into an exam. He said: “When you’ve prepared diligently for an exam, you can sleep soundly the night before, waking up assured of success. That’s the position of our coalition. “Nigerians are the ultimate judges. Their endorsements will determine the outcome, not the political manoeuvrings of the ruling party. The recent endorsements reveal the panicked state of this administration. Insecurity is at an unprecedented level, with territories being reclaimed by insurgents in Borno State and other regions. The cost of living is unbearable. Families struggle to feed themselves, access healthcare, or send their children to school. As school fees are due, many are weighed down by these burdens. Yet, the government has done little to address these challenges, choosing instead to focus on political games.” He also accused Tinubu’s administration of using anti-corruption agencies to pressure opposition figures into joining the APC. “These defections are not driven by ideology or preference for the APC. Politicians are being held hostage and compelled to defect. Some of these individuals are being targeted for corruption, both by former governors and the current administration. They are being pressured to pay a ransom, which manifests as defections. This is what happened in Delta State and elsewhere. Even the so-called ‘quiet bomb’ that has been hinted at is a result of crimes committed by their predecessors. These are being used as leverage to shake them down, hold them hostage, and negotiate their defection to the ruling party.”