Supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have rejected claims by ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting their principal will not participate in the transactional politics that dominate Nigeria’s primaries.
The clarification came after Atiku, now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), told BBC Hausa in an interview on Wednesday that he was ready to contest the party’s presidential ticket but could step aside if defeated by a younger aspirant.
His remarks sparked debates on whether he might eventually abandon the race.
But Obi’s supporters, under the banner of the Obidient Movement, dismissed Atiku’s posture as political “mind games.”
Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE, the group’s National Coordinator and Obi’s former campaign spokesman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, stressed that Obi would not indulge in dollar-driven delegate inducement.
“I’m happy Atiku is saying what he has in mind. It shows there’s something we can hold him accountable for. But Peter Obi is willing to bring new political ideology into the system,” Tanko said.
“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 a fact that in Nigeria of today, delegates in every primary are being purchased.”
“It is even in dollars and not naira. And for those of us who want to give hope to the younger generation, who may not have stolen or receive so much money from governors’ purse, how do you encourage them?”
Atiku, meanwhile, maintained that his focus was to build the ADC and attract strong membership before the 2027 elections.
“This is only the beginning. Our priority is to establish the party and gain a strong following,” he said. Asked about stepping aside, he added:
“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 dismissed speculation that he might later abandon the ADC, declaring: “No, I’m not known for that. If I say so, then I’ll go that way. I am a man of one Qibla.”
Atiku’s remarks drew swift responses in political circles. Former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani, argued it would be nearly impossible for anyone to defeat Atiku in a primary contest.
On X, he quipped: “It’s easier for a camel to pass through the hole of a needle than to beat the Waziri in primaries. Party delegates are a special breed of people.”
However, Atiku’s media adviser, Paul Ibe, later issued a statement clarifying the BBC interview.
He insisted Atiku never said he would withdraw for anyone, but rather emphasized that young people were free to contest and if one emerged through a transparent process, he would support the candidate.
“After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview, in the original Hausa and the English translation, it is evident that at no point did the former Vice President expressly state, suggest, or even imply that he intends to step down for anyone,” Ibe stated.
Meanwhile, the ADC, launched in July as a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, has continued its recruitment drive.
Although several politicians have joined, both Obi and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai remain in their parties despite showing interest in the coalition’s activities.
Obi, however, has made it clear that he will not be pressured into leaving the Labour Party for the ADC until he is fully prepared.
