Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said he is willing to step aside for Peter Obi if the latter emerges as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday.
When asked if he would step down for Obi if he is more popular, Atiku said, “I will step aside for any winner,” including Obi, “if he is a contender.”
“Politics is either you go through democracy, or you go through consensus. What is there if he emerges through consensus or electoral processes?”
Atiku also reiterated that the 2027 presidential election would be his final attempt at the presidency.
He dismissed concerns about his age, arguing that Nigeria’s problem is rooted in leadership, while maintaining that he has the experience and vision to lead the country.
The former vice president further called for structured leadership training for young Nigerians, stressing the need to groom a new generation of leaders.
His remarks came hours after Chief Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the ADC, expressed support for a possible joint presidential ticket between Atiku and Obi ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Momodu said such a pairing could strengthen the opposition, referencing their collaboration in the 2019 election.
“I’d pair him (Atiku) with Peter Obi because they worked together in 2019, so they already share a similar temperament. Peter Obi came third in the last election, so you don’t have to work too hard to maintain and attract the same group of people who love him,” he said.
