The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has asked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South in the interest of equity, unity and national cohesion.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, spoke yesterday in Ilọrin, at the sideline of the 2nd Annual Colloquium of Associate Professor Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia, a former APC governorship aspirant in Kwara State.
Recall that a coalition of opposition parties led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, recently adopted the ADC as a platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 poll.
They also named a former Senate President, David Mark, and former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, as interim national chairman and secretary, respectively.
But while Atiku, former presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has interest in the ADC presidential ticket, Obi and a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who are both members of the coalition that adopted the ADC had in their separate declarations promised to do only one term of four years if elected.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust yesterday, Obi said, “Why should we have a northerner again when we can easily allow the south to complete their tenure to promote unity and cohesiveness? Afterwards, our northern brothers can take up their eight years.
“We are urging this coalition to cede the presidential ticket to the South and let us finish this matter.”
Obi, who was represented by the National Coordinator of Obidients Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa, described his chances in the 2027 elections as very bright, saying he remains a capable and committed leader ready to transform Nigeria.
“I urge the coalition to seize this opportunity and avoid repeating the kind of political error that led to the late Moshood Abiola debacle.
“Obi has already stated that he will contest in 2027 whether we get the coalition ticket or not. So we are not even contemplating whether or not he will run. But when we get to that level, the platform will be revealed,” he added.
