Supporters of Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, have rejected comments made by ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar about the 2027 presidential race.
Obi’s followers, known as the Obidient Movement, said their leader would not join “dollarised primaries” where party delegates are allegedly bought with money.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the group and Obi’s former campaign spokesman, told The PUNCH that Obi’s politics is different.
“I can say it authoritatively that Obi will never go into a primary election where he has to buy out the delegates. We know that is the norm in other camps,” Tanko said.
He added, “It is a fact that in Nigeria of today, delegates in every primary are being purchased. It is even in dollars and not naira. For those of us who want to give hope to the younger generation, who may not have stolen or received so much money from governors’ purse, how do you encourage them?”
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Atiku had told BBC Hausa that he was ready to contest the presidential primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He said if a younger candidate defeated him, he would step aside.
“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” Atiku said.
But his aide, Paul Ibe, later issued a statement saying Atiku never said he would step down for anyone.
“What Atiku Abubakar clearly said was that young people are free to contest. If a young candidate were to emerge through a competitive primary, he would readily support such a candidate,” Ibe explained
The remarks sparked reactions across the political space. Former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani, said Atiku remained a strong force in any party.
“It’s easier for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle than to beat the Waziri in primaries. Party delegates are a special breed of people,” Sani wrote on X.
The ADC, formed in July as a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, has been trying to attract key opposition figures like Obi, Atiku and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. While some politicians have joined, Obi and El-Rufai have stayed in their parties for now.
Obi has said he will not be pressured into leaving the Labour Party until he is ready.