By Kingston Magare
Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar said he may be prepared to pave the way for his Labour Party counterpart Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential elections, if it was the wish of his Party.
Atiku and Obi were defeated in the 2023 elections by President Bola Tinubu. Last week both men were in talks on how to form a strong alliance to unseat the All Progressives Congress ruling party.
Speaking during a BBC Hausa interview Atiku stated: “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, who was a former Vice President between 1999 and 2007, said they are working to ensure that the proposed alliance between him and Obi works for the good of the country.
” Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and in the country’s interest.
” We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”
He added that the choice of a presidential candidate for the alliance would not be an issue: “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.
“Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.”
