Senator Abba Moro says Atiku’s candidacy weakened opposition’s chances against APC
Senate Minority Leader and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Abba Moro, has openly admitted that the party committed a grave error by fielding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
Speaking on Tuesday, Moro described the choice as a “monumental mistake” that severely weakened the PDP’s ability to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls. He explained that the decision to disregard zoning principles in favor of a northern candidate contributed significantly to the party’s defeat.
“In 2022, the PDP, in an attempt to wrest power from the APC, threw open the zoning arrangement and decided to put our best foot forward,” Moro said. “That decision backfired because people resisted the idea of a northern candidate succeeding a northern president. For part of that reason, PDP lost the election.”
Moro noted that both party leaders and supporters have since recognized the misstep. “Virtually all of us agreed that a mistake was made in 2023 by fielding a northern candidate,” he added.
Following its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the PDP has now resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South while retaining the National Chairman’s position for the North. Moro stressed that the decision was reached unanimously, describing it as a strategic move aimed at restoring balance, unity, and fairness within the party.
He further acknowledged that the 2023 loss was “disastrous” for the opposition, but emphasized that the PDP has been actively reconciling and reviewing its internal structures to ensure it does not repeat past mistakes ahead of the 2027 elections.
