The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that he will offer his support if his party zones its presidential ticket to the South East and picks Peter Obi as its candidate.
Speaking during a recent interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku said
“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 South-East specifically, I 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.
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,” Atiku said
When asked about his recent meeting with Peter Obi, Atiku said
“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.”
On whether this will bring about a merger, he said,
“Yes, it’s very much possible. We can merge to achieve a common goal. So, it’s possible, and nothing can stop it if we wish to achieve that.”
The former Vice President denied that the choice of presidential candidate might frustrate the merger discussion.
“That’s not true. That challenge will not arise. I can tell you that the choice of who will fly the flag of the party won’t be an issue.”he said
On why he’s still in active politics, Atiku said
“Yes, we can’t keep quiet and watch things go wrong. People are suffering and we are committed to making Nigeria a better place. It means you are not tired of politics of Nigeria? Not at all. I am still in active politics in Nigeria, at least, as long as God permits. My age doesn’t stop the young ones from testing their fate. Everybody, irrespective of age, is allowed to aspire to be anybody in the society, politically or otherwise.”
Regarding his 2027 Presidential ambition, the former Vice President said
“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.
