The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed rumours suggesting he plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He firmly stated that he remains committed to the PDP. Addressing female members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), who visited him in a bid to salvage the party from disintegration, Atiku emphasized the need for a strong coalition to unseat the APC-led government in 2027. He described the coalition not only as a political strategy but as a national necessity aimed at challenging the current administration and rebuilding the country. The former Vice President told the delegation—led by former Minister of Women Affairs and ex-National Women Leader, Hajia Inna Ciroma—that the proposed coalition is viable and would deliver positive outcomes. He cited the historical example of the Second Republic’s NPN-NPP accord as a precedent, assuring that the PDP’s identity would remain intact despite the alliance. Atiku also shared updates on the progress of the pan-Nigerian coalition he is forming with leaders and stakeholders from various regions and political backgrounds. He noted that the movement is driven by Nigerians from all corners of the country who are passionate about reclaiming and restoring the nation. Speaking on the nature of the visit, the leader of the PDP women BoT, Inna Ciroma, said: “We, as PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, members—the conscience of the party—decided to take this bold decision to come into the crisis the party is going through. “We, as mothers, are worried and disturbed by what the party is going through at the moment. We are disturbed that the party has no leadership, and any organisation without leadership cannot stand. We are worried and disturbed. We cannot fold our arms and see things go bad in our great party. “We decided to visit former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to complain about what we are not happy with, to brainstorm with him on the way forward, on how to save the party from total collapse. We told him there must be leadership and direction in the party. We had very fruitful discussions with the 2023 presidential candidate of the party. “He told us he was not leaving the party, as he discussed much on the coalition and the need for us to key in. We also discussed party funding, that parties should be well-funded so that no single person can control it.’’