Speculations over an alleged president and running mate deal between former vice president Atiku Abubakar, and the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, continued Monday as camps of the two political actors gave divergent views on the matter.
The camps of the two political leaders stated this in reaction to a report that Atiku and Obi reached a deal to run as presidential candidate and running mate respectively in 2027.
They had both run together in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to then President Muhammadu Buhari. Speculations about a likely repeat of this collaboration have been made earlier. Obi has also been linked with former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Reacting on Monday, the Obidient Movement, a critical part of Obi’s political structure, said their principal did not accept to be running mate to Atiku in 2027 because he is still a member of the Labour Party.
Director, Strategic Communication & Media of Obidient Movement, Nana Kazaure, however added that if anything changes, Obi will announce it himself, adding that “While frank and cordial engagements with our partners and stakeholders towards a coalition continue amicably, the Obidient Movement would like to state emphatically that there is no truth or basis to the reports whatsoever.”
However, a top aide to Atiku, Hon Ola Fabiyi, said he cannot confirm whether or not such an agreement was reached.
He said, “I can’t confirm for now.
I believe it will be made public by the two of them but one thing I am sure of is that personal ambition will not destroy the coalition as APC and other naysayers have been touting. The mission is one which is to rescue and redeem Nigeria.”
Kazaure added, “Without any risk of contradiction, we would like to reiterate that Mr Obi has maintained that his objective and his involvement in a coalition, is to provide a united front against and to tackle issues of bad governance, corruption, hunger, poverty, poor healthcare, out of school children and the myriad of other problems daily afflicting the people of Nigeria.
“We want politics that is progressive, standing firmly with the people and serving the great people of Nigeria and not politics just for the sake of grabbing power.”
The movement added that Obi is still a member of the Labour Party and that “if ever this changes, he will make that announcement himself.”
It continued, “The Obidient Movement would like to advise against sensationalism and speculation on these matters. At this difficult time, all Nigerians and the Media, inclusive, should emphasise and contribute to building a better country.”
Atiku, PDP’s candidate in the last presidential election, has been spearheading the coalition arrangement since his loss to President Bola Tinubu.
His clamour for the coalition comes as opposition parties, PDP and Labour Party have been enmeshed in political tussles.
