Supporters of Peter Obi have dismissed Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 declaration, insisting Obi would not participate in “dollarised primaries” dominated by vote-buying.
Supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have rejected comments by ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar concerning the 2027 elections, stressing that Obi would not participate in what they described as “dollarised primaries.”
The Obidient Movement, Obi’s support base, described Atiku’s position as “mind games,” arguing that their principal’s political philosophy stood in sharp contrast to Nigeria’s entrenched system of vote-buying. Speaking with The PUNCH, the National Coordinator of the group and Obi’s former campaign spokesman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said Obi would never contest in a primary that required purchasing delegates.
He stated, “I can say it authoritatively that an 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. It is even in dollars and not naira.”
Atiku, in a BBC Hausa interview, said he would contest the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primaries but would step aside if a younger aspirant defeated him. “If I run for office, and a young man defeats me, I will accept that. The party we have joined now prioritises youth and women,” he said.
However, his aide Paul Ibe later clarified that Atiku had no plans to step down for anyone, stressing that his words were misinterpreted.
Meanwhile, Obi and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai have yet to formally join the ADC, despite the coalition’s bid to unite opposition figures ahead of 2027.
Political observers note the debate highlights growing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition bloc over strategy and credibility.