BY UCHECHI OKPORIE
A senior figure in Nigeria’s growing opposition movement has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could endorse Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the country’s 2027 general election.
Yunusa Tanko Yakasai, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, made the remarks during an interview on Nigerian Television Continental, amid intensifying debate over who will emerge as the standard-bearer of a proposed opposition coalition.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been widely mentioned by supporters as a possible flag bearer of the ADC, which is being discussed as a platform for a united opposition in 2027.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics on Sunday, Yankasai dismissed suggestions that Atiku, who was the main opposition candidate in the last presidential election, could block Obi’s chances of securing the ADC ticket.
He described Atiku as a political leader and mentor capable of supporting another candidate if it would improve the opposition’s prospects.
“Winning does not necessarily mean I must be the one contesting,” Yakasai said, adding that a leader could instead support a capable person to lead the party to victory.
The comments come as opposition politicians and supporters continue to debate how to present a united front against the ruling party in the next election cycle.
At the same time, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress has warned party members and supporters of presidential hopefuls against statements that could deepen internal divisions.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, issued the warning during a live discussion on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, urging restraint as political consultations and alignments for the 2027 polls gather pace.
