The Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party announced on Wednesday that their presidential candidates will not withdraw in favor of the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar. This declaration came after the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council advised Labour Party standard bearer Peter Obi and NNPP candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso against trusting Atiku. The APC’s warning followed Atiku’s claims that he was in discussions with both Obi and Kwankwaso in anticipation of the February 25 election. In an interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku revealed that talks were ongoing with the candidates from the Labour Party and NNPP, although he did not specify the nature of these discussions or any potential agreements.
In response to the reported negotiations, APC Campaign Council spokesman Festus Keyamo urged Nigerians to disregard Atiku’s statements, labeling him untrustworthy, even among his own party leaders. In a phone interview, Keyamo asserted, “Atiku is lying; he is not in talks with anyone. Atiku cannot be trusted, and that is why he can’t keep his party together.” He pointed out that Atiku has struggled to reach an agreement with discontented governors within his party, who are aware of his unreliability. Keyamo further noted that Kwankwaso left the PDP due to humiliation in the North-West, while Peter Obi also departed after being mistreated by the party. “These are the men Atiku is giving the impression that they are ready to work with him. It is all lies,” he insisted.
Akin Oshuntokun, the Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, stated in an interview that Obi has no intention of negotiating with Atiku unless the latter agrees to step down in favor of the former Anambra State governor. When asked about the alleged talks, Oshuntokun questioned their purpose, stating, “How can that be? For Obi to come and support a ticket that is a fundamental threat to the national unity of Nigeria?” He emphasized that Atiku is welcome to renounce his candidacy and support Obi, arguing that no individual ambition should override the North/South rotation convention, especially in light of the divisive nepotism exhibited during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesman for the Labour Party PCC, dismissed Atiku’s overtures to Obi, tweeting, “It is gratifying to hear that Atiku is considering stepping down for Peter Obi in the presidential race.” He suggested that Atiku’s recent admission of using Special Purpose Vehicles to siphon funds from Nigeria makes stepping down the only sensible option for him. Okonkwo urged the public to disregard any other claims from the PDP, asserting that the honorable course of action for Atiku would be to withdraw in favor of Obi to facilitate a new Nigeria.
Similarly, Major Agbor, the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, encouraged Atiku to support Kwankwaso, stating, “He is not on the ground. He is the one to step down for our candidate, not the other way around.” He emphasized that discussions would only progress if Atiku were to lend his support to Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso. In contrast, Mazi Paul Ibe, Special Adviser on Media to Atiku, reiterated that the PDP candidate is committed to forming a government of national unity, which may explain his outreach to other candidates. Ibe contended that both Obi and Kwankwaso would not significantly impact the election, predicting that Atiku would secure victory on the first ballot without needing their support in the event of a run-off.
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