Allies of former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi have responded sharply to recent remarks by ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who stated he would not step down for any aspirant ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
Atiku, now affiliated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), told BBC Hausa that he remains open to contesting the party’s presidential primaries but would support a younger candidate if defeated. However, the comment sparked confusion and political backlash after his media adviser, Paul Ibe, clarified that the former vice president never said he intended to withdraw for anyone.
“All suggestions that Atiku said he would step down are false,” Ibe said in a statement. “After reviewing the interview in both Hausa and English, it is clear that he never made such a statement.”
In a swift reaction, Obi’s camp described Atiku’s posture as “mind games,” insisting that their principal represents a different brand of politics.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, said the former Anambra governor would never participate in “dollarised” primaries—a reference to vote-buying tactics allegedly common in Nigerian politics.
“Peter Obi is bringing a new political ideology into the system. He will never go into a primary election where he has to buy out delegates,” Tanko told Punch. “We know that is the norm in other camps. In Nigeria today, delegates in every primary are being purchased—often with dollars, not even naira.”
Tanko also welcomed Atiku’s transparency, noting that “it shows there’s something we can hold him accountable for,” but stressed that Obi stands for a “non-transactional” brand of leadership.
Political Analysts Weigh In
Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting Atiku remains a political heavyweight.
“The keyword here is primaries. It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to beat the Waziri (Atiku) in primaries. Party delegates are a special breed of people,” Sani wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Observers note that both Atiku and Obi—who were on the same presidential ticket under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019—are now firmly charting different political paths.
Atiku Proposes Electoral Reform
In a related development, Atiku recently proposed reforms to how Nigeria selects the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He called for the role to be filled through a voting system involving key stakeholders, rather than a direct presidential appointment.
The suggestion is part of Atiku’s broader call for electoral reforms aimed at boosting public trust in the democratic process.
As the political landscape begins to heat up ahead of the 2027 elections, the rivalry between Obi and Atiku—two of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures—appears set to intensify, with their differing visions and political styles increasingly on display.
