The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to reports suggesting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, are stirring up permutations for the 2027 presidential elections.
Speculations arose following indications that Atiku, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, might consider stepping aside for Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, hinted at ongoing merger discussions with the LP and other opposition parties, stating, “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.”
Responding to these developments, Nze Chidi Duru, the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the APC, expressed the ruling party’s lack of concern, emphasizing the importance of a robust opposition for democratic progress.
Duru highlighted that the APC expects the opposition to fulfill its role in providing alternative viewpoints, affirming that the ruling party wishes them success in their endeavors.
He said, “It will be helpful if we have an effective and efficient opposition in the country to help to provide the alternative view. APC and Nigeria would be better for it.
“For me, we will continue to hope that opposition parties will rise to the occasion to give a formidable and constructive engagement to our political party. It is theirs to provide such opposition and it is for us in the APC to continue to take the lead.
“We wish the opposition well. We will continue to work harder to attend to the needs of the Nigerian people. We wish them good luck. We knew that about some months ago. Such a call was made and the Labour Party said they were not in any position to undertake such an unholy engagement”.