In the midst of attempts by some stakeholders both inside and outside the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to put forward a joint presidential ticket of him and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the general elections in 2027, former President Olusegun Obasanjo is reportedly supporting Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
According to information obtained, Obasanjo is generally seen as not just favorable to the concept but also as the main advocate of Peter Obi’s aspirations and in favor of larger initiatives to form a respectable opposition alliance.
Some former military officers, top opposition politicians, and power brokers are among those involved in the push, according to many people who spoke to Daily Trust about the development.
After Peter Obi and Kwankwaso both had largely regional results in the 2023 election, there is a renewed push. According to reports, Obasanjo is supporting the joint ticket because the two of them are a more strong alternative to the All Progressives Congress (APC) than any single candidate.
Obasanjo Continues to Support Peter Obi
Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo’s media aide, commented on the issue and affirmed that the former president still backs Peter Obi’s bid for president, just as he did in the 2023 election.
“I can confirm that one, yes,” he responded. I can vouch for his endorsement of Obi’s bid for president.
Akinyemi denied that she was aware of any meeting or instruction Obasanjo gave ADC leaders over the production of the Peter Obi–Kwankwaso ticket.
“If I don’t know there was a meeting, how can I tell if they gave a mandate?” he said.
It is not on ADC’s agenda.
According to a senior ADC member who reviewed the matter with Daily Trust, the Peter Obi–Kwankwaso plan has not been formally approved or addressed within the party’s decision-making organs, despite being hotly disputed among party members and opposition players.
Since the last election, there has been a debate on matching Obi with Kwankwaso, he stated. Numerous leaders think they could have won in 2023 if Obi and Kwankwaso had run together. They consider it a squandered chance.
According to what I understand, this is being debated in a number of opposition forums, but the ADC as a party has not made it a party agenda item. The focus is mainly on party leaders and members considering out loud which ticket has the best chance of unseating the APC.
According to the ADC chieftain, Obasanjo’s longstanding support for Peter Obi is no secret, despite allegations that retired generals are actively spearheading the movement.
“You know that Obi is a favorite of former President Obasanjo,” the insider continued. The Obi ticket is what he is promoting. Although I am unable to verify it, it is plausible that he has had conversations with other retired generals.
Another party insider speculated that the resoluteness of Peter Obi’s followers might be connected to assurances made behind closed doors.
According to the source, the ADC’s growing prominence has drawn interest from groups within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as from other opposition parties.
“They must have been promised something,” the insider claimed, explaining why Obi’s fans insisted on “Obi or nothing.” Meetings, conversations, and communication are still going on, as far as I’m aware.
An outcome where members split apart following the primaries is what the ADC hopes to prevent. Before reaching that point, there is a strong sense that the parties need to reach a consensus on a course.
“Notable Nigerians are considering the ADC.” For this reason, it has turned into a focal point. According to the source, even the PDP you see now might cooperate with the ADC in the future.
As you are aware, the Wike group is collaborating with the APC, and the Turaki-led leadership currently leans more toward the ADC than the APC. They’ll side with the ADC if they can’t obtain what they want.
Therefore, the statements made regarding retiring generals are not entirely inaccurate. Many ADC and non-ADC officials think an Obi–Kwankwaso ticket will do better since Atiku will still be burdened by zoning disputes and age-related worries.
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