A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ladan Salihu, has urged Nigerians to encourage former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and ex–Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 election.
Naijaonpoint reports that Salihu, while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television, commended the political pedigree of Peter Obi and Atiku.
According to Salihu, Nigerians should work towards encouraging Peter Obi and Atiku to strengthen the opposition.
He said, “When you have Atiku Abubakar with his pedigree, experience, quality, integrity, and the capacity he has shown in leadership over the years, you have everything.
“And you have the likes of Peter Obi, with not only capacity but also the zeal, guts, energy, and sincerity of purpose he displays when it comes to issues of leadership.
“You have these two under the same roof. Nigerians should work towards encouraging the two, alongside other politicians in the party.
“The focus should be on strengthening the opposition. Before the coalition, these leaders engaged and agreed to work together.”
Meanwhile, there is growing unease within the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency over the prospect of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, aligning with Atiku and Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Findings indicate that the anxiety follows renewed opposition talks aimed at forming a broad coalition capable of challenging the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.
Atiku and Obi, who were candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party respectively in the 2023 presidential election, have since collapsed their political structures into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a fresh alliance.
Emerging reports suggest that influential figures within and outside the ADC are mounting pressure on Kwankwaso to align with the Atiku-Obi bloc in order to present a united opposition front in 2027.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is said to be among those encouraging the alliance, having reportedly held discussions with Atiku and Obi on the possibility of running a joint ticket on the ADC platform.