In a surprising turn of events, Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced his willingness to step down for Peter Obi if the party chooses Obi as their 2027 presidential candidate. This statement was made during an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday.
Atiku, a former vice president, emphasized his commitment to party unity and democracy. He stated that if PDP members unanimously decide to zone the presidential candidacy to the South East, he would fully support that decision.
“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,” Atiku affirmed. “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.”
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his own presidential ambitions for 2027, Atiku made it clear that the decision would rest with the party members. “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,” he said.
Addressing his recent meeting with Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Atiku hinted at a potential alliance. He noted that their discussions signaled a positive direction for democratic governance in Nigeria, though he did not provide specifics on when an alliance might be formalized.
“We are in a democratic system and don’t forget that we are those who fought for its entrenchment. So, we are going to continue entrenching good governance and a sound democratic system. We would never fold our arms watching things deteriorate,” Atiku concluded.
This development suggests a significant shift in the political landscape, with Atiku showing readiness to foster unity and support emerging leadership within the PDP.