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Former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has said a proposal has been put forward to ensure that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, Peter Obi, consider a single candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
Naija News reports that Lukman, in an interview with Arise News, said opposition parties need to recognise that their battle is not with one another but with the APC and its presidential candidate, Tinubu.
Lukman noted that the objective to unite Atiku and Peter Obi was to create a structure that would allow them to function as a cohesive unit, enabling them to present a united front to the Nigerian electorate by the 2027 elections.
He said, “The ultimate objective is that we want to have one candidate, but it cannot be by declaration. They have to sit down and agree on the criteria they are going to apply in determining that candidate. They will agree among themselves.
“Nobody will dictate it to them, which is why, if you put the question to the supporters of each of the candidates, again, you are not being fair to the candidates, because, at the end of the day, it is the quality of the relationship.
“We have posed the question to them, and, for emphasis, let me remind you of the question we have posed to them. At the end of the day, there will only be one president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The question they need to answer themselves is: Do they just want to be candidates, or do they want to win the election to become president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“I mean, answering that question will require that they also agree that there are certain conditions they must meet to be able to win the election. That is the point we are now trying to push them to understand, and all of them understand it.
“They have to work together, and the primary opponent is the APC and President Bola Tinubu. So, when you now begin to pose the question as if the primary opponent is either former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or former Governor Peter Obi, you get it wrong.
“As far as we are concerned, we are putting forward a structure, and we are putting a proposal to them to consider, which will lead to the formation of that structure that will enable them to work as a united body, on the basis of which, by the 2027 election, they will present Nigerians with a united front.
“Look, the bottom line, and let me say it for emphasis, is that we believe Nigerians deserve better.
“We believe that the 2027 election should present a credible option for Nigeria in such a way that Nigerians can have confidence to queue behind that candidate, vote for that candidate, and vote out the APC and President Bola Tinubu. I think there is no debate about that.”
Good morning everyone. Honestly this is a very good move but I doubt if it will work because the two persons involved would not like to step down for each other as 1. Atiku cannot step down because of himself and 2. Obi will not step down because of his followers. My take is; Atiku/Obi with a signed written agreement for one term then Obi/ a viable northern afterwards. God bless you all
Unless ADC and NDC decide to work together, history will repeat itself. Politics is a game of number. January 2027 is fast approaching, if Obi or Atiku think either ADC or NDC can do it alone, they are living in delusion.
They will never step down for one another.
Lukman,should have consulted with Aitku & Obi first,before flying the kite of a opposition having one presidential candidate, to know their minds.
Why putting proposal for a single presidential candidate to both Obi and Atiku? In all fairness is it even proper for any northern candidate to want to contest when the South still have 4yrs to go? The consequence is congratulations to Tinubu in advance.