Nigeria is witnessing too much injustice and dishonesty that must be fought with everything by all good men in the country, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the February 25, 2023 election has said.
Atiku, who claimed that he was still very much around and would always join in the battle to rid the nation of these vices, told BBC Hausa Service, on Friday, that it was for this reason that he had been meeting with people of like minds, including Peter Obi, his Labour Party (LP) counterpart and former running mate in the 2019 election.
Atiku, who had attempted the presidential race in Nigeria a record six times, told his host that he would not mind supporting Obi in the coming 2027 presidential election, acknowledging that there was a high-level discussion not only on creating a fresh working political alliance, but that he might be supporting the former Governor of Anambra State to emerge Nigerian President in 2027.
But the former VP, between 1999 and 2007, who said he was not retiring yet from partisan politics and would actually remain in it for as long as his strength would carry him, left a caveat to support his old ally – the PDP, must zone the presidency specifically to the South East for that to happen
His words: “This is to anybody that thinks there is going to be a misunderstanding between me and Obi, let me assure you that not even a small issue is going to happen between us. Also we are going to be behind anybody that will be chosen to represent us in the forthcoming elections.
“I have made it clear in my previous speeches that if our parties are going to merge to agree on a candidate from the south-east, as long as he is qualified, we will allow it. At this moment we are meeting and making arrangements to unite the party and take it to a more promising point.
“If there is anybody thinking we would be moving backwards, keeping quiet to the dishonesty and injustice happening to the people of Nigeria, then I think he is daydreaming because I am still very much active in political activities.”
Here is the full interview:
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 practicing 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.