Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar met with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections in Abuja, earlier in the week.

The meeting sparked speculations about a merger of some opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In an interview with BBC Hausa Service monitored by FRED EZEH, Atiku Abubakar explained the reasons for the meeting.

You had a meeting with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections. What was the reason for the meeting?

It’s just a normal friendly meeting that we often had, particularly we in the opposition parties. Such meetings are healthy for Nigeria’s democracy and for the country’s interest.

People are saying the meeting was to form a merger or alliance between your party, PDP, and Labour Party. Is that possible?

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 so wish to achieve that.

But the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the effort?

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 arise.

Why do you think so?

I don’t think so, I know so. Believe me, the challenge will not arise. Or are you expecting it to arise? Just believe me that it won’t arise.

What if it’s required that both you and Peter Obi drop your ambition and support someone else? Will you and others support that?

I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections that if 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.

So if Peter Obi, being from the South-East, is the choice, will you support him?

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.

How is the merger talk going?

We are still discussing the issue, and in the right time we would make our position known.

When will you conclude the discussion?

I can’t disclose that for now because it’s not yet the right time to do that.

After the 2023 elections you were expected to be quiet and observe, but you are still playing the opposition?

Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.

It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria?

Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.

People are expecting you to give space to younger ones considering your age.

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.

So, there’s the possibility of you contesting 2027 elections?

But 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.

But your interest is still there?

Until that time comes. Let’s just wait and see how it will turn out.

People are interpreting your recent meetings with various people as watering the ground for the next election.

It must not be interpreted like that. I must not be eyeing elections to have meetings with political friends and associates. Currently, we are practising democracy in this country which we fought for with our blood.

Many people lost their lives in the struggle. As a result, we would continue to ensure that democracy is strengthened in the country. We can’t watch from the sidelines as things are getting bad.

Paraman:
Gbajue the Catholic fanatic can mot win the PDP ticket

Ezewuzie01:
Then it will be easy victory for Tinubu because northerners will not vote for a religious bigot, an alcohol producer and distributor, a father of a homosexual activist, a Pandora thief and someone who will prolong the north's wait to get back power.

fineboynl:
Atiku will support obi in other for obi to hand over to him. Atiku cannot be on the race when the south haven't completed their 8 years. So it would be wise for him to step down.

Obi cannot do 8 years because tinubu already started it. If only atiku supported obi in the last election. It would have been a land slide. Obi cleared Abuja, Lagos. And will do the same again.

Gossiphub:


Obi the dagger to your heart😂.

Cry

Georgry:



You're very funny, so you think Obi will just step down after 4 years because Tinubu started it? No matter the arrangement between them Obi will surely contest for second term, you know wetin be President of Nigeria?

fineboynl:
Atiku will support obi in other for obi to hand over to him. Atiku cannot be on the race when the south haven't completed their 8 years. So it would be wise for him to step down.

Obi cannot do 8 years because tinubu already started it. If only atiku supported obi in the last election. It would have been a land slide. Obi cleared Abuja, Lagos. And will do the same again.

Paraman:
Gbajue the Catholic fanatic can mot win the PDP ticket

emkz:


Atiku did not say "if the new party zones the ticket to the southeast".

obasanjonews:
Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has suggested that he may support his Labour Party counterpart from the last election, Peter Obi, in the upcoming 2027 election.

Currently engaged in merger discussions with opposition party stakeholders, Atiku expressed his willingness to back Obi if chosen by the party.

This hint was revealed during an interview with BBC Hausa Service, as reported by The Sun. Recent private meetings between Obi and Atiku have fueled speculation about a potential merger of opposition parties in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

Atiku confirmed the efforts of opposition parties to align and potentially form a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming election, emphasizing the possibility of merging to achieve a common goal.

He reiterated his readiness to support Obi if a new party decides to nominate him as the presidential candidate, particularly if the South-East region is zoned for the position.

Atiku emphasized his commitment to abide by the party's decision, citing his participation in the 2023 presidential race as a response to an open contest within the party.

emkz:
This is vague.

Atiku's support for Obi is conditional on if the new party nominates Obi. He also cited how he won the PDP ticket after an open contest.

Atiku did not say "if the new party zones the ticket to the southeast".

Atiku invariably wants Obi to join the alliance. Atiku did not say he would let Obi win the nomination. If Obi loses the nomination, he'd lose face and must support Atiku. If he leaves to another party after realizing the game, it would be too late.

Instead of forming a new party, let the opposition elements rally round Peter Obi in Labour Party.

Paraman:
Gbajue the Catholic fanatic can mot win the PDP ticket

Ezewuzie01:
Then it will be easy victory for Tinubu because northerners will not vote for a religious bigot, an alcohol producer and distributor, a father of a homosexual activist, a Pandora thief and someone who will prolong the north's wait to get back power.