I’m not afraid of losing ADC ticket to Atiku, says Obi

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has dismissed growing speculation that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may hijack the African Democratic Congress’ presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 Obi, who spoke in an interview during his recent visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, said he had no fear about Atiku’s political moves, describing him instead as a “dear elder brother and respected leader.”

 The speculation follows reports that Atiku’s loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party have been defecting to the ADC coalition.

 This development unsettled Obi’s supporters and triggered fears of a looming takeover.

 The anxiety deepened after Atiku, in a recent BBC Hausa interview, declared that he would not step aside for any aspirant unless defeated at the ADC primaries — a statement that sent ripples through political circles and prompted fresh debate on his 2027 ambitions.

 Adding to the discourse, former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Shehu Sani, in a post on his X handle, cautioned that it would be “difficult for any aspirant to defeat Atiku if he makes it to any party primaries.”

But Obi, brushing off the fears, maintained that the emerging coalition was about national rescue, not rivalry.

Let me tell you. Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for. I’m a member of the Labour Party and I belong to the coalition forming the ADC for the presidential election in 2027.

“I can tell you, other parties and people are going to be part of it. All of us are going to come together as a people. That’s my belief.

For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning people will have to come together to rescue the country,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor also hinted at his readiness to contest, whether under the ADC platform or otherwise, stressing that competence and sincerity of purpose should define Nigeria’s next leadership.

“I’m contesting and I’m sure I will be. People will have to look at who is competent, whether he has the capacity and everything. And I think I’m qualified.

“I have the capacity to do the job. I’m saying it over and over again that in four years, I can change the trajectory of Nigeria to a positive one,” Obi declared.

The former LP candidate further urged Nigerians to shift focus from partisan politics to issues that directly impact citizens’ welfare.

We’ve talked too much politics in this country. I was in some villages in Anambra State, and could see poverty everywhere. We’re talking about party chairmen, primaries, and things like that. I want the new Nigeria to be talking about what will benefit the people,” he added.

Obi and Atiku were both defeated by President Bola Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election in a tightly contested three-way race.

 The former Anambra governor, running on the LP platform and buoyed by a strong youth-driven movement, came third behind Atiku, marking one of the most competitive elections in Nigeria’s democratic history.

culled from punch