Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has stated that if, in 2027, the party decides that it is the South-East’s turn and selects Peter Obi as its candidate, he will readily offer his support.
“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 party’s decision, I’ll abide by it. However, I ran for the 2023 presidential ticket because it was open to all party members.
“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 added that a merger between the PDP and the Labour Party is possible.
Atiku added that members of the party would decide his fate in the 2027 general elections.
The former Vice President mentioned that his recent meeting with Obi might indicate a possible alliance leading up to the 2027 general elections.
Responding to questions about the meeting with Obi, Atiku said, “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.”
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.”
The former Vice President, who denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion, 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.”
On why he’s still in active politics, Atiku 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.
“It means you are not tired of the politics of Nigeria? 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 society, politically or otherwise.”
Regarding his 2027 presidential ambitions, the former Vice President said, “That would depend on the decision of my party. I can’t make any categorical statements on that. It’s the duty of the party to decide on the way to go in the next election.
“It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practicing democracy in this country, which we fought for with our blood.”
Last week, Obi held a private meeting with Atiku and some other PDP leaders in Abuja.
Obi also met separately with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, sparking speculation about a possible coalition for the 2027 general elections.
Obi was a PDP member until 2022, when he left to pursue his presidential ambitions with the Labour Party.
In the February 23 presidential election, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress won, placing him third behind Atiku.
Atiku blamed Obi’s departure from the PDP for his loss to Tinubu.
Analysts argued that Atiku’s 6,984,520 votes combined with Obi’s 6,101,533 votes could have secured a win against Tinubu, who received 8,794,726 votes.
Monday’s meeting marked the first public interaction between Obi and Atiku since the election.
Viral photos of Obi’s meetings with the three PDP figures on Monday flooded social media and online platforms.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC defeated Atiku and Obi in 2019 while running together on the PDP ticket.
However, due to internal conflicts, Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in 2019, left the PDP and ran as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
