APC Takes Stand as Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso Stoke 2027 Permutations.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has addressed reports suggesting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) are considering forming an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Recent indications have surfaced that Atiku, who was the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, might step down for Obi in the next presidential race.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Atiku confirmed that merger discussions are ongoing with the LP and other opposition parties. He stated, “I have said repeatedly and I even said it before the 2023 general elections 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’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.”
In response, Nze Chidi Duru, Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the APC, emphasized that the ruling party is not perturbed by these developments. He underscored the importance of a strong opposition for the health of democracy, saying, “It will be helpful if we have an effective and efficient opposition in the country to help to provide the alternative view. APC and Nigeria would be better for it.”
Duru expressed optimism for constructive political engagement, adding, “For me, we will continue to hope that opposition parties will rise to the occasion to give a formidable and constructive engagement to our political party.
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It is theirs to provide such opposition and it is for us in the APC to continue to take the lead. We wish the opposition well. We will continue to work harder to attend to the needs of the Nigerian people. We wish them good luck.”
He also referred to previous statements by the Labour Party dismissing the idea of an alliance with Atiku, calling it an “unholy engagement.”
This development comes as political strategizing for the 2027 election intensifies, with major figures like Atiku, Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) exploring various alliances and permutations.
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