I’ve no fears of losing ADC ticket to Atiku – Peter Obi

 

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has addressed growing fears that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could hijack the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections

Obi, speaking in an interview with Sunday Punch during his visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, dismissed the speculation, saying he has no fear of Atiku’s political moves.

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“Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for. I’m a member of the Labour Party and part of the coalition forming the ADC for the 2027 presidential election,” he said. “Other parties and people are going to be part of it. We all have to come together to rescue this country.”

His reaction comes amid reports that several of Atiku’s loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been defecting to the ADC, sparking fears among Obi’s supporters of a looming takeover of the coalition.

Tension grew further after Atiku, in a recent BBC Hausa interview, vowed not to step aside for any aspirant unless defeated at the ADC primaries — a statement that stirred anxiety within political circles.

Adding to the concern, former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, warned on X that “it would be difficult for any aspirant to defeat Atiku if he makes it to any party primaries.”

Despite the fears, Obi maintained that the coalition is not about rivalry but about rescuing Nigeria from its current challenges.

He also hinted at his readiness to contest again in 2027, stressing that leadership should be determined by competence and integrity, not by political scheming.

“I’m contesting, and I’m sure I will be. People should look at who is competent and capable. I have the capacity to do the job, and in four years, I can change the trajectory of Nigeria positively,” he stated.

Obi further urged Nigerians to shift focus from political power play to addressing issues that directly affect citizens.

“We’ve talked too much politics in this country. I was in some villages in Anambra and saw poverty everywhere. We’re busy discussing primaries and party leaders instead of what will benefit the people. The new Nigeria should be about the people,” he said.

Both Obi and Atiku lost to President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, a tightly contested race that marked one of the most competitive in Nigeria’s history.