The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Comrade Richard Nwafor, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against pursuing a candidacy in the 2027 presidential election, saying the party needs a new breed of people to mount its leadership position.
He urged Atiku to stop his alleged attempt to lure 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, into alliance ahead of the next general election.
Naija News reports that Nwafor stated this during a press briefing yesterday in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State.
Nwafor proposed that the PDP should allocate its presidential ticket to the southern region of Nigeria for the upcoming elections in 2027.
He reminded that Atiku participated in the 2023 presidential election under the PDP banner but was unsuccessful.
The PDP leader also pointed out that Atiku had previously contested in presidential elections before the last one, during which he selected Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as his running mate, yet faced a significant defeat.
Nwafor expressed confusion over the recent speculation regarding Atiku’s intentions to seek the presidency in 2027.
He emphasized that numerous attempts were made in 2023 by PDP members, particularly those from the southern region, to persuade Atiku to permit southern party members to secure the presidential nomination, asserting that such a move would have promoted equity, fairness, and social justice within the party.
“Since the dinner in Yola, Adamawa State, I decided to keep mute and watch as it unfolds.
“However, let it be very clear to those concerned that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, a man I respect so much, should bury the idea of a 2027 presidential ambition and support a southerner instead of romancing Obi when the two of them couldn’t reach an agreement on or before the 2023 election.
“This opinion is personal and doesn’t represent the generality of my office.
“Those close to His Excellency should relate my message to him because the 2027 presidential ticket needs to be zoned to the southern part of Nigeria despite all odds.
“We need fresh people to mount the podium of leadership in our great Party (PDP),” Nwafor said.