“Choice of who’ll fly flag of new party won’t arise”
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President was said to have met with Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party,LP in the 2023 general elections in Abuja, recent Correspondence report revealed that the said meeting has sparked speculations about a merger of some opposition Political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. Atiku Abubakar was reported to have explained the reasons for the meeting during an interview with the BBC’s Hausa service. “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”,he explained. Informed that People are saying the meeting was to form a merger or alliance between his party, PDP, and Labour Party,if it was possible.He confirmed it,saying,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. Asked if the choice of the Presidential candidate might frustrate the effort in the speculated merder,he said that’s not true. According to him,that challenge will not arise. “I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t arise”.
Atiku averred that he doesn’t think so, but that he knows so,even as he added that he should be believed that such a challenge will not arise. He as well made it clear that it is not his expectation that the challenge would arise. Just believe me that it won’t arise. Asked ,if it’s required that himself and Obi should drop their ambition and support someone else,will you and others support that? He reiterated that he had it said repeatedly and even said so before the 2023 general elections that if PDP decides to zone the Presidential ticket to the South or South-East specifically, he 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”,he stated. Reacting on the progress of the merger talk,he noted that they are still discussing the issue, and in the right time they would make their position known. Reluctant to say if the discussion is being concluded, Atiku , said,”I can’t disclose that for now because it’s not yet the right time to do that”. Explaining why,after the 2023 elections, when he was expected to be quiet and observe, but he has still been playing the opposition.
The ex-Vice President said he can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong in the country. Noting that the People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place.
He accepted that he is not tired of politics of Nigeria, at all,but has to still be in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits.
Reacting to the notion that People are expecting him to give space to younger ones considering his age,he made it clear that his age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate.
Asserting that everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise. Asked if there’s the possibility of his contesting the 2027 elections,he said it would depend on the decision of his 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 stated. Enthused that his interest may still be there,he mused, “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 practising 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”.meanwhile, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has explained the reasons for the meeting he recently had with the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and the possibility of a merger between them
According to a recent report by The Sun, Atiku, during an interview with BBC Hausa Service, confirmed that an alliance between him and Obi is possible if both parties decide that it is the best way to achieve their goals. He emphasized that nothing would stop them if they choose to unite.
When asked if choosing a presidential candidate might cause problems for the merger, Atiku confidently replied that it would not be an issue. He said before the 2023 general elections, he had stated that if PDP decided to zone its presidential ticket to the South or South-East, he would not run for president. He said he only contested because the party’s ticket was open to all members. Atiku also assured that it he and Peter Obi form an alliance and Obi is chosen as the candidate, he would support Obi. Regarding the progress of the merger talks, Atiku mentioned that discussions are ongoing and that an official decision will be announced at the right time
In Atiku’s words: The choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t arise. I don’t think so, I know so; believe me the challenge will not arise
