Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed speculation that he is afraid of losing the 2027 presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking during a visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, Obi described Atiku as a respected elder statesman and leader, insisting that the emerging ADC coalition is focused on rescuing Nigeria, not political rivalry.
“Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for,” Obi said. “I’m not afraid of losing the ADC’s presidential ticket to him.
I’m a member of the Labour Party and part of the coalition forming the ADC for the 2027 presidential election.”
His comments come amid reports that some of Atiku’s loyalists within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been defecting to the ADC coalition, fuelling speculation that the former vice president might contest for the party’s ticket.
Atiku had recently told BBC Hausa that he would not step aside for any aspirant unless defeated at the ADC primaries — a statement that stirred anxiety in political circles and renewed debate about his 2027 ambitions.
Obi, however, downplayed any sense of competition, stressing that the coalition’s primary goal is to unite credible Nigerians to rebuild the nation.
“I can tell you, other parties and people are going to be part of it. All of us are going to come together as a people,” he said. “For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning people will have to unite to rescue Nigeria.”