The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his willingness to throw his support behind Peter Obi if the party selects him as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
In a recent interview with BBC Hausa Service, Atiku reiterated his commitment to respecting the party’s decision regarding the zoning of the presidential ticket, particularly to the South or South-East.
He emphasized that his decision to contest the 2023 presidential ticket stemmed from its open nature within the party.
“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,” Atiku declared.
He added, “But I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was thrown open to all members of the party. 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 also hinted at the possibility of a merger between the PDP and the Labour Party, suggesting that such an alliance could be instrumental in achieving common objectives.
“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,” Atiku said regarding his recent meeting with Obi.
Regarding his potential 2027 presidential bid, Atiku deferred to the decision of the PDP, refraining from making categorical statements.
“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. Until that time comes, let’s just wait and see how it will turn out,” Atiku remarked.
The recent meeting between Atiku and Obi has sparked speculation about a potential coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The encounter marked the first public interaction between the two since the 2023 presidential election, where Obi contested under the Labour Party following his departure from the PDP.
Atiku attributed his loss to Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election partially to Obi’s departure from the PDP.
Analysts suggested that a combined effort between Atiku and Obi could have secured victory against Tinubu, underscoring the potential synergy between their respective voter bases.
The meeting between Obi and Atiku, along with other PDP leaders, has fueled anticipation within political circles, signaling potential realignments and collaborations leading up to the 2027 elections.