Peter Obi Responds to Fears of Losing ADC Ticket to Atiku: “People Should Look at Competence
“People Should Look at Competence” – Peter Obi Addresses Concerns Over Losing ADC Ticket to Atiku
Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed fears of losing the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Naija News reports that this comes amid speculation that Atiku may hijack the coalition party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, unsettling Peter Obi’s supporters.
Recall that Atiku, in a recent BBC Hausa interview, declared that he would not step aside for any aspirant unless defeated at the ADC primaries, a statement that sent ripples through political circles and prompted fresh debate on his 2027 ambitions.
However, Peter Obi, in an interview with PUNCH during his recent visit to LEA Primary School, Kapwa, Abuja, described Atiku as his ‘dear elder brother and respected leader’, stressing that he had no fear about his political moves.
The former Governor of Anambra State maintained that the emerging coalition was about national rescue, not rivalry.
While speaking about his readiness to contest in 2027, whether under the ADC platform or otherwise, Peter Obi argued that competence and sincerity of purpose should define Nigeria’s next leadership.
The former LP candidate further urged Nigerians to shift focus from partisan politics to issues that directly impact citizens’ welfare.
He said, “Let me tell you. Atiku is a very dear elder brother and leader that I have a lot of respect for. I’m a member of the Labour Party and I belong to the coalition forming the ADC for the presidential election in 2027.
“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. That’s my belief.
“For us to do the right thing for the country, all well-meaning people will have to come together to rescue the country.
“I’m contesting and I’m sure I will be. People will have to look at who is competent, whether he has the capacity and everything. And I think I’m qualified.
“I have the capacity to do the job. I’m saying it over and over again that in four years, I can change the trajectory of Nigeria to a positive one.
“We’ve talked too much politics in this country. I was in some villages in Anambra State, and could see poverty everywhere. We’re talking about party chairmen, primaries, and things like that. I want the new Nigeria to be talking about what will benefit the people.”