“I Will Support Obi’s Presidential Ambition In 2027” – Atiku

By Akinwale Kasali

Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 Presidential Election, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to support  Peter Obi,  in the 2027 Presidential Election. But it will, however be on two conditions.

Obi who was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019  Presidential Election under the flag of the PDP, dumped the Party in 2023 for the Labour Party. He was LP’s Presidential Candidate.

However, both Atiku who contested under the PDP, and Obi lost the Election to President Bola Tinubu, the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

But speaking in an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa Service, Atiku said he would support Obi if Obi returns to the PDP, and if the PDP zones the ticket to the South-east. He said he vied  for the office in 2023 because the race was thrown open.

His words, “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,” he added.

The former Vice President under the President Olusegun Obasanjo Government  also said there is a possibility for the merger between the PDP and Labour Party, adding that the members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.

He also explained that his recent meeting with Obi might indicate a possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.

Atiku: “It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often have, particularly among us in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.”

About the possibility of the 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.”

He, however, denied that the choice of Presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, and said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”

Making clarifications on his active part in politics, he said, “Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

Asked if he had become tired of politics,  he said:  “Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

“My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.”

Speaking on his possibility of vying for the 2027 Presidential Ticket, he said that would depend on the decision of my party. “I can’t make any categorical statement on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.

“ Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

“ It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood,” he added.