In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed his willingness to support Peter Obi if the party decides to zone its presidential ticket to the South-East for the upcoming 2027 elections.
Conditional Support for Zoning Decision
Atiku stated that he has always been open to the idea of zoning the presidential ticket to the South or specifically the South-East. He emphasized that his decision to run in the 2023 elections was based on the party’s choice to keep the ticket open to all 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,” Atiku explained.
He further added:
“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.”
Recent Meeting with Peter Obi
When asked about his recent meeting with Peter Obi, Atiku described it as a routine, friendly interaction common among opposition party members. He highlighted the importance of such meetings for the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
“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.”
Possibility of a Merger
Discussing the potential for a merger among opposition parties, Atiku expressed optimism about the feasibility of such a move to achieve common goals.
“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 dismissed concerns that the choice of a presidential candidate might hinder merger discussions.
“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.”
Commitment to Active Politics
Despite his age, Atiku remains committed to active participation in Nigerian politics. He asserted that his involvement is driven by a desire to improve the country and alleviate the suffering of its people.
“Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.”
He added:
“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.”
Future Presidential Ambitions
Regarding his potential run in the 2027 presidential election, Atiku deferred to the decision of the PDP.
“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.”
Atiku Abubakar’s statements underscore his dedication to the PDP and his readiness to support party decisions, potentially paving the way for a unified opposition front in future elections.
