Supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have dismissed ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s vow not to step aside for any aspirant in his bid to secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket for the 2027 presidential race.
The Obidient Movement, Obi’s grassroots followership, described Atiku’s stance as “mind games,” stressing that their principal would never engage in the dollarised delegate inducement that dominates Nigeria’s political primaries.
Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, the group’s National Coordinator and Obi’s former campaign spokesman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said Obi’s political ideology stood apart from the transactional politics associated with other aspirants.
“I’m happy Atiku is saying what he has in mind. It shows there’s something we can hold him accountable for. But Peter Obi is willing to bring new political ideology into the system. I can say it authoritatively that Obi will never go into a primary election where he has to buy delegates. That is the norm in other camps, and it is even in dollars and not naira,” Tanko said.
Atiku had on Wednesday told BBC Hausa that he was prepared to contest the ADC presidential primaries, but would accept defeat if a younger aspirant emerged. However, his media adviser, Paul Ibe, later issued a statement clarifying that Atiku never suggested stepping down, insisting his comments were misinterpreted.
“After a thorough review of the video and transcripts, it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or imply that he intends to step down for anyone. What he clearly said was that young people are free to contest, and if a younger candidate emerges through a competitive process, he would support such a candidate,” Ibe said.
The remarks sparked reactions across the political space. Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, cautioned that it would be “easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle” than for any aspirant to defeat Atiku in party primaries.
Meanwhile, the ADC — launched in July as a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027 — is still struggling to bring opposition heavyweights like Obi, Atiku, and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai fully into its fold. While some politicians have already crossed over, Obi has insisted he will not abandon the Labour Party until he is ready.




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