By Abiola Olawale
Former Vice President and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has hinted at the possibility of throwing his weight behind the presidential aspiration of his opponent in the 2023 poll, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
Mr Abubakar said he is open to abandoning his presidential dreams to support Obi in the 2027 general election.
This is as Atiku also confirmed that there are ongoing merger talks between some opposition parties in the country.
He made this known during an interview session with the BBC Hausa Service, saying he won’t hesitate to support Obi if the new party picks the former Anambra governor.
Confirming the move by opposition parties to align in a bid to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election, Atiku said: “We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible and nothing can stop it if we so wish to achieve that.
“I have said repeatedly, and I even said it before the 2023 general election, 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 is 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.”
The New Diplomat reports that this comes a few days after Obi and Atiku met behind closed doors.
Obi also visited former Governor of Jigawa State and ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and ex-Senate President and former Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Atiku and Obi had run together for the presidency under the PDP in 2019; however, Obi dumped the party to pursue his in the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party.
