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Atiku: I’ll support Obi in 2027 *Things are bad in Nigeria
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.
Unlike in other cases, security operatives in Nigeria have upped the ante by adding the arrest of perpetrators to the menu of rescue operations, with the announcement of the capture of eight terrorists who participated in the abduction of school teachers and students in Oyo State on May 15.
All the 46 pupils, students and teachers abducted by terrorists from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, regained their freedom on Friday, after about 56 days in captivity, with several others reportedly also neutralised during the operation.
Giving a clue of what transpired during the operation, Bayo Onanuga, who broke the story of the feat, said it was the outcome of sustained security operations, which also foiled the attempt by the abductors to secure the release of one of their captured leaders.
Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, using his X handle to give details about the operation, said: “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies. In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised.”
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon.”
The victims were abducted on May 15 when heavily armed bandits attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, seizing dozens of pupils, students and teachers.
The abduction sparked nationwide outrage, with parents, labour unions, traditional rulers and civil society groups mounting sustained pressure on the authorities to secure the victims’ release.
The incident also triggered an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State over growing insecurity in schools.
President Bola Tinubu had condemned the attack and ordered security agencies to intensify intelligence-led operations to rescue the captives and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The President subsequently dispatched a high-powered Federal Government delegation to the affected communities, approved the deployment of specialised rescue assets and authorised the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across Oyo State.
For the umpteenth times in recent months, President Bola Tinubu, was on Thursday, again locked in a crucial meeting with security chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to review the security situation across the country, with the duo of Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), leading the other Service Chiefs to the parley.
Channels Television, reports that each agency heads, briefed the President on ongoing efforts and strategies aimed at tackling insecurity in different parts of the nation, while acknowledging improvement in the security situation in Nigeria with a resolve to build on the current achievements.
While they agreed that Intelligence will continue to play a critical role in the security arena of the nation, the security bosses, were said to have also resolved to strengthen collaboration with neighbouring countries for greater results at the meeting, which held behind closed doors.
The report indicated that Thursday’s meeting was coming amid renewed moves by the Nigerian government to address insecurity across the country. President Tinubu had already sent the bill for the establishment of state police to the National Assembly as part of measures to restore stability to troubled zones and secure Nigeria.
Apparently not swayed by the rumble in informed political quarters over the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Bola Tinubu, has sworn his readiness to swim and sink with Kashim Shettima, as Vice President in the 2027 presidential election.
The President rested the issue of retaining or dumping the VP, which has been a subject of intense speculations over several months now, when he forwarded the name of the former Governor of Borno State for the Aso Rock Villa’s joint ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ruling party forwarded the names of the duo on Friday to formalise its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, brushing aside contentions that unlike the 2023 edition, such a ticket might not fly this time.
Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, received the duly completed nomination forms for both Tinubu and Shettima from Ibrahim Masari, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, at a colourful ceremony at the Ladi Kwaki International Conference Centre of Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.
The high-profile ceremony drew heavyweights from across the party, including members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, representatives from the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and state party chairmen.
Welcoming dignitaries to the brief but solemn ceremony, APC National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu noted that the event was the natural climax of a highly transparent internal process.
“The presidential flag bearer emerged through a thoroughly transparent primary process,” Argungu said, while praising President Tinubu’s “positive strides” and urging party faithful to remain united, prayerful, and steadfast.
The ceremony culminated in the presentation of the completed nomination forms for the President and his running mate by the Presidential Adviser, Masari, who was accompanied by all the governors in attendance, members of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Reinforcing the governors’ total commitment to the ticket, PGF Chairman Governor Hope Uzodimma stated that the transparent nature of the primaries had made marketing the candidates seamless.
Uzodimma, said: “We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party.”
Describing the APC as a beacon of internal democracy and inclusiveness, promising that the governors would spearhead a total clean sweep at the polls, he added: “We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies.”
On his part, Yilwatda stated that the revalidation of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket represents the authentic heartbeat of the party’s grassroots, adding: “Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of our party who supported the President’s candidature,” Yilwatda remarked. “We are proud of the support already in the kitty of President Tinubu, and we are convinced that many more Nigerians will vote for him.”
The APC boss, while pointing to key initiatives such as the student loan scheme—which he noted has already benefited over 1.5 million students—alongside targeted agricultural interventions and nationwide infrastructure projects as verifiable proof of performance, urged members to return to their local communities armed with facts rather than rhetoric to dismantle opposition narratives.
His words: “While others are busy spreading propaganda, let us counter them with facts. Nigerians have seen governance that touches lives across the six geopolitical zones. APC holds a distinct institutional advantage over its rivals, being the only political platform in the country backed by a fully digitalised and verified membership database.
“We already have about 12 million verified members. We are going round the country to mobilise support for the President. I am also confident that our governors will compete among themselves to deliver the highest number of votes.
“Go and tell the leader of our party (President Tinubu) that our members and Nigerians will vote for him to continue the excellent work he is doing. As a party, we are proud to be presenting the best candidate. There is no shaking at all. Come 2027, our victory is assured.”
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