The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has said he is not afraid of losing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to “elder brother” and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, for the forthcoming 2027 elections.
Obi, who spoke during his recent visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, also dismissed growing speculation that Atiku may hijack the party’s presidential ticket, describing him instead as a respected leader.
The speculation is coming amid reports that Atiku’s loyalists from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have been defecting to the ADC coalition.
Atiku had in a recent BBC Hausa interview, declared that he would not step aside for any aspirant unless defeated at the ADC primaries.
This was said to have sent anxiety through political circles and prompted fresh debate on his 2027 ambitions.
Reacting, Obi allayed the fears, stressing that the emerging coalition was about national rescue, not rivalry.
The former Anambra State governor said more people will come to the ADC to “rescue” Nigeria.
“Let me tell you. Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for. I’m not afraid of losing ADC’s presidential ticket to him. I’m a member of the Labour Party and I belong to the coalition forming the ADC for the presidential election in 2027.
“I can tell you, other parties and people are going to be part of it. All of us are going to come together as a people. That’s my belief.
“For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning people will have to come together to rescue the country,” he said.
