The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has announced that he will support Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election if the party decides to nominate him as its candidate.
“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 specifically to the South-East, I won’t contest it. As long as it’s the decision of the party, I will abide by it. I contested the 2023 presidential ticket because it was open to all members of the party,” Atiku stated in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.
Atiku also mentioned that a merger between the PDP and the Labour Party is possible. “If the party decides it’s the turn of the South-East and Peter Obi is chosen, I won’t hesitate to support him,” he added.
Atiku emphasized that party members would decide his role in the 2027 general elections. He hinted at a possible alliance with Obi, mentioning their recent meeting as a sign of potential collaboration.
“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, referring to his meeting with Obi.
On the topic of a potential merger, he affirmed, “Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. Nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”
Regarding concerns about the choice of a presidential candidate affecting merger discussions, Atiku said, “That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. The choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”
Atiku also addressed his continued involvement in politics, stating, “We can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place. My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everyone, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to any position in society, politically or otherwise.”
On his potential 2027 presidential ambition, Atiku remarked, “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.”
Last week, Obi had private meetings with Atiku and other PDP leaders in Abuja, sparking speculation about a possible coalition for the 2027 general elections. Obi also met with former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Obi was a PDP member until 2022 when he left to pursue his presidential ambitions with the Labour Party. He finished third in the 2023 presidential election behind Atiku, who lost to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku has previously blamed Obi’s departure from the PDP for his loss to Tinubu, suggesting that their combined votes could have secured a win.
The meetings marked the first public interaction between Obi and Atiku since the election, generating significant attention on social media. In 2019, Atiku and Obi ran together on the PDP ticket but were defeated by former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. Internal conflicts led Obi to leave the PDP and run as the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
