The leadership of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed reports suggesting that the party had entered into a coalition arrangement with the Allied Peoples Movement ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the claim as false and misleading.
The party said those promoting the alleged coalition were disgruntled former members linked to a faction loyal to Chief Olabode George, insisting that they no longer had any standing within the PDP.
Speaking on behalf of the party, the Lagos PDP Chairman, Muka Popoola, accused the group of consistently working against the interests of the party during major elections in the state.
In a statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary, Dr Adebiyi Phillips, Popoola alleged that the individuals purportedly canvassing support for the APM were members of the Bode George faction, backed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to destabilise the Lagos PDP.
He stated that Lagos PDP no longer recognised the Bode George faction following the expulsion of its leader by the party’s former National Caretaker Committee in December 2025.
“The Lagos PDP remains united, focused, and fully committed to rebuilding and repositioning the party for victory in future elections.
“At no time did the party authorise or endorse any coalition talks with the APM or any other political platform,” the statement read.
Popoola urged party members and the public to disregard the coalition reports, describing them as a desperate attempt by politically irrelevant elements to create confusion within the party.
He reaffirmed that the recognised leadership structure of the Lagos PDP remained loyal to the directives of the national leadership headed by the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
According to the chairman, the party was currently consolidating its structures across the state and remained determined to position itself as a credible opposition capable of reclaiming political relevance ahead of the 2027 elections.
The statement also accused Chief Bode George of repeatedly instigating crises within the Lagos PDP during election periods, alleging that his actions had often weakened the party to the advantage of rival political parties.
The party recalled that during the 2018 local government elections, George allegedly mobilised PDP members to contest under the Labour Party and Accord platforms despite the PDP’s participation in the polls.
It further alleged that in the 2019 general elections, George directed loyalists to work against the PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, while in the 2023 elections, he openly supported Labour Party candidates, Peter Obi and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, instead of PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Lagos governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran.
Popoola maintained that the PDP remained viable both in Lagos State and nationally, insisting that the party was capable of presenting credible candidates in the 2027 elections.
He also claimed that the Supreme Court judgment affirming the leadership faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had effectively resolved the party’s leadership crisis.
“PDP in Lagos State is intact. We are not interested in any coalition with any political party. We are strong, united, and formidable enough to present credible candidates for every elective position in 2027,” Popoola said.
He appealed to aggrieved members to return to the party, likening them to the biblical prodigal son and assuring them that the door remained open for reconciliation and reintegration.
The leadership crisis rocking the PDP split the party between the Wike-led faction and the Makinde-led faction.
Both factions are laying claim to the leadership of the party, although the Makinde and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State faction had aligned with the APM for the 2027 election.
Makinde and his supporters in Oyo will hold a “Mega Unity” rally with his PDP faction and the APM in Ibadan, the state capital, on Thursday.
