Atiku Abubakar, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, expressed his willingness to support Peter Obi’s potential presidential candidacy in 2027 if the PDP decides to zone the ticket to the South-East. Atiku emphasized his commitment to abide by the party’s decision, stating that he contested the 2023 ticket because it was open to all party members.
“I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if the PDP decides to zone the presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party.
“If the party decides that it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” Atiku declared in a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service.
He also hinted at the possibility of a merger between the PDP and Labour Party, indicating potential collaboration to achieve common goals.
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On whether this will bring about a merger, he said, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”
Atiku clarified that the fate of his political journey in the 2027 general elections lies in the hands of the party members. He mentioned a recent friendly meeting with Peter Obi, suggesting a potential alliance leading up to the elections.
Regarding speculation about a merger, Atiku affirmed its feasibility and dismissed concerns about the choice of presidential candidate hindering the discussion. He reiterated his dedication to improving Nigeria’s political landscape and denied any fatigue in active politics, affirming his continued participation as long as circumstances permit.
While Atiku refrained from making definitive statements about his 2027 presidential ambition, he underscored the party’s role in decision-making. He emphasized the importance of democratic practices and downplayed interpretations of political meetings as indicative of electoral ambitions.
The recent public interaction between Obi and Atiku marked a significant moment since the 2023 elections, sparking discussions on social media platforms. Despite their past collaboration in the 2019 elections, Obi’s departure from the PDP led to his independent run in 2023, contributing to internal party conflicts.
